TELL THE TRUTH SERGIO!
by Ben Weider, President,
International Federation of Bodybuilders.
I was dismayed and shocked by the unfair critical remarks made by Sergio Oliva against the IFBB on television, and verbally.
I have been receiving numerous letters from loyal bodybuilders throughout the U.S.A. protesting Sergio's attacks on the IFBB. As long as Sergio was winning contests, he thought the IFBB was the world's greatest organization. When Arnold Schwarzenegger defeated him, he decided that the IFBB was a badly run and dishonest federation.
I regret deeply to have to get involved personally in this matter, but I felt that because Sergio Oliva's attacks against the IFBB created such a furor, that I had to respond and give the readers some factual evidence.
In 1971, Sergio went to London to participate in the NABBA Universe contest. Our 1971 world bodybuilding championships (Mr. Universe) and international congress was held in Paris, a few days after the NABBA Universe contest. Sergio naturally came to Paris at the time and attended our international congress and saw the organization of our Universe championships. He was so impressed that he insisted on giving a demonstration in Paris at our championships.
Under the circumstances because he gave a demonstration at NABBA, he was unable to give a demonstration at the I.F.B.B. contest, as this was against the constitution of the IFBB. The longer Sergio stayed in Paris, the more he was impressed with our activities. He saw the debates that went on in congress, how new rules were adopted in a democratic way, he met the delegates from over 32 countries that were there to participate in these activities, and he started to lobby with the various delegations, asking them to intervene with the IFBB Executive, in order that he may give an exhibition at our contest.
The members of the Executive and myself received a delegation of over 20 IFBB delegates, pleading to allow Sergio to give an exhibition. We called Sergio in and asked him how he could want to give a demonstration at the IFBB Universe championships, when he was recently in London, giving an exhibition for NABBA and criticizing the IFBB, even on the stage during the contest. I asked him how he could criticize the IFBB and yet, expect us to receive him in Paris and allow him to give an exhibition. He then explained that he did not realize how great the IFBB was and after seeing its democratic activities, and meeting the delegates from so many countries, he assured me and our Executive that he now understood that the IFBB is the only federation in the world that is democratic and is working for the bodybuilders, and that if we reinstated him, he would be a loyal member of the IFBB.
Knowing of Sergio's reputation in bending and twisting facts as he sees fit, the Executive asked him to sign a document in his own words, why he should be reinstated in IFBB, and here is the document that he signed. This document is in my office in Montreal.
DOCUMENT SIGNED IN PARIS, SATURDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER 1971:
To the Executive Council of the IFBB,
Paris, FRANCE
Gentlemen:
"I feel I have been guilty of a sincere error in judgement in entering the NABBA Mr. Universe contest.
Since I have been to Paris, listened and observed, I have come to admit the efficiency and good work which the IFBB is doing.
May I ask your consideration in reinstatement within the organization, and offer my thanks and appreciation for your permission to appear on stage at the Paris Universe show."
Sincerely yours,
Sergio Oliva
Witnessed the signature of Sergio Oliva this 25th day of September, 1971, by the undersigned:-
Witness: Mr. Wag Bennett, President, British Amateur Bodybuilding Fed., 335 Ramford Road, London, England.
The above facts should prove to anybody that Sergio's criticism of the IFBB is unfounded, misleading and untrue.
PHOTO CAPTIONS
- A smooth Sergio "hams" it up at the IFBB Mr. Universe 1971, held in Paris. Would you buy a used car from a salesman with a grin like that?? Sergio great? Si! Sergio honest? No!