Muscle Builder, Vol 8, Num 7, Page 5

Muscle Builder, Vol 8, Num 7, Page 5 October 1966

EDITORIAL

PLANS FOR THE 1966 IFBB MR. OLYMPIA CONTEST

BY JOE WEIDER
Trainer of Champions

The Trainer of Champions levels you in on some of the happenings that are going on today that will make this MR. OLYMPIA CONTEST the most fantastic event ever created. Read this editorial for a "behind the scenes" report.

SEPTEMBER 18, 1965 will live on in bodybuilding history . . . not because the fantastic Larry Scott won the MR. OLYMPIA title, nor because the fabulous Dave Draper won the MR. AMERICA crown, and not even because a European came to the United States to beat out an American for the first time in the IFBB MR. UNIVERSE competition. No . . . it is because the first IFBB MR. OLYMPIA CONTEST was held. While only three entrants participated this first year, it will start a chain reaction that will move the sport forward for years to come. I am positive that each succeeding year will see more and more champions participate . . . will see the stage filled with greats.

If it hadn't been for the MR. OLYMPIA event that night, the great Larry Scott wouldn't have trained so hard all year for the title -- and we wouldn't have seen the fantastically improved Scott. His progress stupefies us . . . his gains overwhelm us -- and to what heights he can grow remains a mystery. Only time will tell. And for as long as Larry returns to defend his OLYMPIA title, he will continue to bomb and blitz away. We expect a better Scott in 1966 and we wonder who will be great enough to challenge him.

This constant ambition to win and retain the title will force Larry to train harder and harder - as it will force other champs to train harder. In a few years we will see a new dimension revealed and we will know to just what extent the body can grow.

This title assures Larry and other greats constant inspiration. . . and it will encourage the champs to shoot for greater and greater growth heights just as scores work for the weightlifter. We expect measurements to climb. New giants will emerge - giants of muscular development we could not imagine years ago. All this will now be possible because of the MR. OLYMPIA title. Yes, that September 18th will be a historic night . . . for it ushered in the contest of the champions - and it forces the champs to continually train for a title. We will see muscular growth we never before believed possible.

Prior to this first MR. OLYMPIA we wrote to many champs and invited them to compete. The standard reply we received was, "Because it is only about 6 months before the event, I don't have enough time to whip myself into top shape. I want a chance to win against such men as Scott - and it will take me about a year to reach top condition. I have got to bomb and blitz for at least a year or I will fail on the IFBB platform. I already hold the existing top titles - and the new OLYMPIA (which I may compete in year after year. . . unlike the others) will keep me inspired to keep training." This answer was reasonable . . . and so, we drew only three contestants this first contest - Scott, Poole and Maynard. All had a full year of hard training.

Another problem became apparent. This is what the Champs wrote: "I would like to enter the OLYMPIA, but I have expense problems - and I must pay someone extra to run the gym while I'm away. I need some financial help if I am to travel." Because of this the IFBB Board of Directors has just voted to award the winner a $1,000 cash prize (in addition to the trophy or crown), starting with the second MR. OLYMPIA - scheduled to be held on September 17, 1966. This will give the greats something more to shoot for besides the title and trophy or crown.

With these problems aside, we have written to all the greats this year. . . we have invited them to compete in the 1966 IFBB MR. OLYMPIA CONTEST. These are only several of the letters we have sent. . . here we print them as an "open invitation" so that you may share in the making of this exciting event.

LETTER TO BILL PEARL

Dear Bill:

Last September 18th, when Poole, Maynard and Scott competed, the crowd kept yelling out your name, "Pearl. . . Pearl. . . Pearl! Where is Pearl? He is the greatest!" Naturally, you weren't there because you did not compete you disappointed your fans. It will be an honor to play host to you in 1966 - and we hope that you will enter the 1966 OLYMPIA and satisfy your fans. . . and help put an end to doubts about who is the greatest. Is Pearl greater than Scott? Can he lick Scott? To quell your fears (if you have any), the IFBB will allow you to appoint anyone you wish of recognized authority, to sit with the judges - so that you will be assured that you are getting a fair judging. IFBB judging is known to be the fairest - but we extend this invitation to all OLYMPIA contestants. Let's hear from you soon.

Your friend,
JOE WEIDER

LETTER TO JACK DELINGER

Dear Jack:

No one knows better than I how modest and shy and retiring you are re: your greatness. I remember it from years back when we walked the streets in London, trying to build up your morale. . . trying to convince you that you had Bill Pearl beaten that night. You've just never realized your greatness. And even when you won the MR. UNIVERSE event that night, you still couldn't believe it happened to you. Many of your friends have sent us recent photos of you. . . and you look fantastic. It would be a real shot in the arm for the game if you would get down to business and really bombed away to reach your greatest potential. With your herculean proportions and massive symmetry I feel positive that you have a great chance to defeat Scott. It's a shame that no American really saw you at your fantastic best. If you train all year, I am sure you will be a great surprise to the world on September 17th.

Your pal,
JOE WEIDER

LETTER TO LEO ROBERT

Dear Leo:

It was a real honor to work-out with you in your gym a few weeks ago, and I was amazed at the magnificent shape you keep yourself in. I never believed that you were so dedicated. And you don't even have a big contest in Canada that you haven't won, to keep you inspired. You still have a classic torso. So many fans write us about you. . . and our recent "Training Wisdom of Leo Robert" in MUSCLE BUILDER received a response of hundreds of letters from readers praising you. At our recent MR. EASTERN AMERICA show your guest appearance as a poser was spectacular, and won great acclaim from all. Because of this I feel positive that if you hit the weights hard in the next few weeks, you can enter the OLYMPIA at a 195-pound bodyweight, looking more cut-up and massive than ever, and you would have a great chance of winning. Also, many people who know you only by name would be amazed at seeing your flawless physique in person. It would be a treat and an honor to have you in our contest. Please let me hear from you at your earliest convenience. Your arms and midsection are still the most fantastic sight to behold.

Your training partner,
JOE WEIDER

LETTER TO REG PARK

Dear Reg:

I am inviting you to enter the 1966 MR. OLYMPIA CONTEST. Only I know how great you were. Others doubt your greatness and some say you are better than Scott, Pearl and other greats. However, many are of the opinion that you have had it, and that Scott has replaced you. They claim that you are now too heavy and smooth - that your buttocks are too heavy. . . and that you can never reclaim greatness. Is it true that you are reduced to massiveness without shape and definition? Some even claim that Draper can beat you, let alone Scott. However, I am not of this opinion, and I know that if you cut down in weight and if you brought out your shape and definition, you'd have a good chance to beat them all. Because I believe this. . . because I would like to see you compete against the greats of today - because I know you are not a weakling and that you can compete against today's greats as you did with Ross, Reeves and others - and stood beside Pearl for comparison - I invite you to prove to the world how really great you are. Naturally, you're welcome to appoint any authority you wish to sit in with the judges to guarantee you a fair judging. We are only interested in finding the rightful winner to wear the MR. OLYMPIA crown - and I think your chances are excellent.

Your friend,
JOE WEIDER

LETTER I RECEIVED FROM CHUCK SIPES

Dear Joe:

I have been training hard for the 1966 MR. OLYMPIA event. My arms are over 20 inches pumped and I now weigh 215 pounds. I hope to weigh 220 for the contest, and I hope to be in the best shape of my life. My new job permits me to train harder than ever and it would be a thrilling experience to me to pit myself against the greats of the day. Win or lose, it will be an honor to stand with the greats and be counted and really see for myself just where I stand among the greats of today. I do not believe that one should let his fans remain in doubt about how great one is. If you're a champ, then I feel you should prove it year after year or abdicate, as the boxing champs do. Either defend the title of greatness or make way with dignity to others who deserve it. Be certain that I will be there on September 17th. Also, I have a new strongman act I would like to put on the same evening. Brute force and power and muscles go hand in hand.

Your friend,
CHUCK SIPES

It is impossible to reprint all the letters we have sent off to the greats. We are going to do our best to make the 1966 IFBB MR. OLYMPIA the greatest ever. Don't forget. . . the big date is this September 17, 1966 -- and the place is the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Tickets are now on sale. . . so make your plans to be with us now. Prices are: $10, rows 1-7 and box-seats above stage; $8, rows 8-14; $5, all other orchestra seats; $3, mezzanine; $2, balcony. Order from: Bud Parker, Contest, 801 Palisade Ave., Union City, N. J. Tickets will also be on sale at the Academy box-office right up to show-time at 8:00 P.M., but arrive early for good seats. In addition to the MR. OLYMPIA you will see the MR. WORLD, MR. AMERICA and MISS AMERICANA contests - as well as a variety show - on stage that night.

As you may know, the 1966 IFBB MR. UNIVERSE CONTEST is now being held in Tel Aviv, (it was not) and the winner will have all his expenses paid to New York City to compete against Larry Scott in the MR. OLYMPIA event on September 17th. Lud Shusterich, in behalf of our London office and as our European Director, will run the 1966 IFBB MR. GREAT BRITAIN, MR. EUROPE and MR. FRANCE contests - and the winners of these contests will also be sent to the IFBB, MR. WORLD and MR. OLYMPIA events.

Also, Dick Tyler, our editor on the West Coast, is now running the MR. WESTERN AMERICA contest, results to appear in this magazine in a month or two. The winner of this event will also be sent to compete in the MR. OLYMPIA contest on September 17th, all expenses paid, as will all winners of national and international IFBB contests. (they weren't) This will bring together on one stage the world's greatest bodybuilders - for our most spectacular annual event.

We are doing everything possible to hold as many contests as possible everywhere. It would take a book to list all the IFBB contests for 1966, held throughout the world. Read "IFBB News & Notes" in MUSCLE BUILDER monthly and you will see how active the IFBB is in running contests everywhere. Through these contests we are advancing bodybuilding - our beloved sport.

Shortly, we will be inviting individual bodybuilders to become IFBB members. Each member will receive a membership card and lapel pin . . . so that each and every one of you may participate in action to spur our sport to even greater heights. We at Weider will aid the IFBB in promoting these contests - in promoting all IFBB events to promote bodybuilding the world over.

Soon I will discuss with you the challenge from Russia and Eastern Europe re: the "perfect man" contest, as they are putting forth a concentrated effort to win the MR. UNIVERSE and MR. OLYMPIA titles in future years. We will see these Slavic giants in our events soon.

PHOTO CAPTIONS

- 1965 IFBB MR. OLYMPIA winner Larry Scott accepts the title, the crown, an honorary doctorate degree and congratulations from IFBB President (left), losing contender Harold Pool, and IFBB Chief Joe Weider. Scott will defend the title on September 17th. Editorial gives details.

- These are just four champs who are eligible to compete against Scott for the 1966 IFBB MR. OLYMPIA title. The IFBB has sent invitational letters to them and nearly two-dozen other stars. Acceptances are now coming in. This year's winner will receive the coveted title, a trophy, and a $1,000 cash prize. Chuck Sipes (second from right) was one of the first to accept the invitation. Left to right: Bill Pearl; Reg Park; Sipes; Jack Delinger.

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