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Olympia Weekend

By: Kenneth Hall

The Fitness Olympia Competition was comprised of 12 women with amazing displays of dance, gymnastics and flexibility...

Once again, Mandalay Bay put on a fabulous show. The staff was attentive and courteous. The audience and everyone involved were very patriotic, and we were all glad to see that the terrible events of Sept. 11 did not have a negative effect on a great weekend.

I was very excitied to go to the Mr. Olympia contest at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, as I had been a fan of bodybuilding for years. I had seen the contest on cable TV before and the picture in Muscle and Fitness Magazine, but had never had the opportunity to attend what some say is the Super Bowl of bodybuilding.
Just as spectacular were the women's competitions. The bodybuilders were competing for Ms. Olympia, while the Fitness Olympoia competiution had women with a more steeamlined shape than with the full muscularity.
The weekend started off with a "meet the competitors session" in which you were able to meet and talk to the competitors. When you stand next to these men and women, you can really see how much hard work they put ionto their bodies!
The fitness conevention had the latest in supplements, workout wear and fitness equipment. Many of the top fitness models in the world were promoting the products as weel as many of the contestants from the Olympia.

Ms. Olympia Posedown

Jenny Worth and Ken Hall

In the Ms. Olympia contest, Juliette Bergman, the lightweight champion, edged out Iris Kyle, the heavyweight champion. Ms Bergman at 42 years of age had retired from bodybuilding 15 years ago, This amazing comeback tell us that with hard work and determination, dreams can come true.
The Fitness Olympia Competition was compreised of 12 women with amazing flexibility. Susie Curry won the second consecutive year, with Jenny Worth coming in second and Kelly Ryan in third place.

With 21 men in the Mr. Olympia contest, there was fierce competition for the Shadow Trophy. There had been alot of trash talking and finger pointing months before the competition, and everyone was curious to see if those guys could put their muscle where their mouth was. In a controversial decision, Ronnie Coleman won for the fourth straight time. Many in the crowd thought that the cut-up Jay Cutler deserved the championship and looked in better than the Larger Colman. Kevin Levrone, Shawn Ray, and Chris Cormier rounded out the topo five. The consensus was that this was the best Olympia so far.
The dedication to diet and training that these athletes endure is incredible. I had a great time talking to the competitors and tasting the latest power drinks and protein bars. I think I picked up a few training secrets there. Maybe if I start working out a little more regulary and take it easy on the buffets... well..., we'll just see come next October.