IFBB MAKES RULING ON OLYMPIA DRUG TESTS
The following is a copy of the IFBB Official Press Release in regard to drug samples testing positive at the 2001 Mr. Olympia contest. This communication was released by Wayne DeMilia, chairman of the IFBB Pro Division, and Jim Manion, chairman of IFBB Judges Committee.
IFBB OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Subsequent to the mandatory dug tests that took place at the Olympia Weekend of October 26/27, 2001, the IFBB was informed that two samples had tested positive for banned diuretics.
As a result of this information, the IFBB took the initiative to scrupulously examine the drug-testing procedures that took place at and around the 2001 Olympia Weekend. After completing this investigation, the IFBB is confident that each and every one of the steps called for in the protocol of drug testing were meticulously followed at the event itself. However, as part of this investigation, it was discovered that the world-renowned laboratory employed by the IFBB is no longer designated as an official accredited lab by the International Olympic Committee. When the IFBB commenced its relationship with this highly reputable lab several years ago it was an IOC-accredited lab.
As the IFBB's Doping Control Policy calls for all testing to be undertaken by an IOC-accredited lab, the IFBB, committed to following the highest ethical standards, has no option but to declare the drug testing results from the 2001 Olympia Weekend null and void. Those athletes who had been informed that they had tested positive, Jay Cutler and Markus Ruhl, will keep their original 2001 Mr. Olympia placings of second and 14th, respectfully, and retain all relevant medals, privileges and prize money applicable to their placings.
We consider this decision to be one based on a pure technicality and in no way reflects on the integrity of the lab used by the IFBB, nor does it question the testing procedure followed by the IFBB at the 2001 Olympia Weekend. The IFBB is committed to following its official federation guidelines and bylaws to the letter. As a result, the IFBB officially announces that all future IFBB drug testing will be carried out under the auspices of an IOC-accredited lab to be determined before the commencement of the 2002 season.
With this decision, the IFBB reaffirms its strong commitment to the Olympic ideal of unity through sport, and fair and balanced treatment of all athletes.
2001 NPC NATIONAL BODYBUILDING AND FITNESS CHAMPIONSHIPS
November 16-17, Atlanta, Georgia
Men's Superheavyweight
1) Art Atwood*
2) Mat DuVall
3) Stokely Palmer
4) Chris Martin
5) Noah Steere
Men's Heavyweight
1) Branch Warren*
2) Gus Carter
3) Darrell Terrell
4) David Watson
5) Doug Jabalee
Men's Light-Heavyweight
1) Johnnie O. Jackson**
2) Eddie Linda
3) Michael Valentino
4) Brian Chamberlain
5) Sebastian Zona
Men's Middleweight
1) Eric Otero*
2) Johnny Stewert
3) Tricky Jackson
4) Bobby Thompson
5) Anthony Watkins
Men's Lightweight
1) Jose Raymond*
2) Derik Farnsworth
3) Chickel Azor
4) Milton Berry
5) Owen McCurty
Men's Bantamweight
1) Ricky Parks*
2) Henderson Gordon
3) Jonny McKnight
4) Clifton Torres
5) Lance Harano
Women's Heavyweight
1) Beth Roberts**
2) Rae Mokhtari
3) Colette Nelson
4) Dre Dilliard
5) Tyra Risby
Women's Middleweight
1) Tonia Villalobos*
2) Lisa Winston
3) Rosemary Jennings
4) Stephanie Starr
5) Christine Brandon
Women's Lightweight
1) Mary Ellen Doss*
2) Angela Irizarry
3) Elena Seiple-Perticari
4) Susan Facini
5) Mara Silva
Fitness Tall Class
1) Amy Haddad*
2) Natalie Carroll*
3) Lea Waide
Fitness Medium Height Class
1) Tanji Johnson**
2) Claire Morris*
3) Lisa Uzzle
Fitness Short Class
1) Renee Masi*
2) Kristen Ezzo*
3) Carissa Carter
**Overall winner
* Earned pro card
CUTLER SENSATION
It has now been confirmed that Jay Cutler, 2001 Mr. Olympia runner-up, and Markus Ruhl, 14th at the O, have been informed by the IFBB that their urine samples tested positive for banned diuretics. IFBB rules state that individuals whose samples test positive as a result of the contest's mandatory diuretic test will lose their placing and prize money and that all those athletes finishing below them will subsequently move up in prize money and placings. Thus, as a result of this ruling, Cutler would forfeit his second place spot, his $60,000 paycheck and qualification for the 2002 Mr. Olympia, and Melvin Anthony (originally placed 11th at the O) would move up to 10th and be awarded $10,000 in prize money (he originally received zilch), and, of course, gain qualification for the 2002 Mr. Olympia. However, we understand that Cutler is at this time seeking legal guidance in an effort to have the drug test result overturned. We'll keep you posted on developments.
RONNIE COLEMAN, OTHER AMERICANS, THREATENED IN NEW ZEALAND
In a disturbing sign of the times, anonymous callers claiming to be members of a Muslim faction in New Zealand issued threats to American bodybuilders, including Ronnie Coleman and Chris Cormier, scheduled to compete at the New Zealand Grand Prix in Wellington on November 10. Security was beefed up at the venue, the Michael Fowler Centre, as the Kiwis took every possible precaution to secure the safety of the U.S. bodybuilders. When told of the threats by promoter Boris Borodin, the IFBB pros didn’t flinch and eagerly took the stage, unfazed. The threats, likely a hoax, didn’t affect the contest at all, as Coleman won a spirited competition against his pal Cormier. Borodin and Wellington officials received praise from the Americans for their efforts in caring for the safety of the visitors while also putting on a terrific show.
While the exact details of the threats weren’t disclosed, Coleman told New Zealand reporters what he thought of the would-be terrorists. "People who make threats are cowards," said the four-time Mr. Olympia, a former Arlington, Texas, police officer.
KIWIS BUST MR. OLYMPIA’S MOVEABLE FEAST
While he won the contest, Ronnie Coleman had less luck with New Zealand’s customs officials, who confiscated Mr. Olympia’s stash after landing in Aukland. The stash? Food, and plenty of it. Bringing meats and other perishables into New Zealand is a big no-no, and Coleman had his goodies confiscated and was fined $250 by officials. According to local press, the contraband was "mainly meat and potatoes."
CRUISING WITH RONNIE! HERE’S YOUR CHANCE
The ubiquitous Ronnie Coleman will be able to enjoy all the meat and potatoes he wants in a much different voyage, this one a seven-day "fun ship" Carnival cruise vacation from Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera. And guess what? You’re invited. This "Cruise with Mr. Olympia" leaves port on January 20, with special offers that include interior ($580 per person) and ocean view ($640 per person) spots, but you’ve got to move fast. For details, call 800-347-4447, and ask for Heidi (ext. 115).
ORVILLE FRIGHT FLIGHT
On November 12, 2001, while American flight 587 crashed in Queens, New York, Orville Burke, sixth place finisher at the Olympia, was en route from Honolulu to New York. "We had just crossed the river, and started our descent into New York when our plane started turning around," Orville told FLEX. "The pilot didn’t make any announcement, and I thought, ‘What the hell is going on?’ After we turned around, the pilot told us about the plane wreck and that we were being rerouted to Cleveland. We were on the ground there for a couple hours. When they re-opened New York’s airspace a couple hours later, we were able to take off again."
IFBB HUNGARIAN PRO FITNESS CHAMPIONSHIP
Budapest, Hungary, November 10, 2001
WINNER: TIMEA MAJOROVA*
2) Klaudia Kinska*
3) Stacey Simons*
4) Laura Mak
5) Cynthia Bridges
6) Melissa Frabbiele
7) Robyn Jackson
8) Krizstina Serenyi
9) Caroline Nash
*Qualifies for 2002 Fitness Olympia
IFBB NEW ZEALAND GRAND PRIX
Wellington, New Zealand, Saturday, November 10, 2001
WINNER: RONNIE COLEMAN*
2) Chris Cormier*
3) Claude Groulx*
4) Tommi Thorvildsen
5) Sergey Chelestov
6) Erguin Marquez
7) Nicholas Shilko
8) Matt McLean
9) Mark Rainbow
10) Justin Rys
*Qualifies for the 2002 Mr. Olympia
IFBB BRITISH GRAND PRIX
Manchester, England, Sunday, November 4, 2001
WINNER: KEVIN LEVRONE (USA)
2) Chris Cormier (USA)
3) Dennis James (USA)
4) Dexter Jackson (USA)
5) Ernie Taylor (England)
6) Melvin Anthony (USA)
7) Tommi Thorvildsen (Norway)
8) Tom Prince (USA)
9) Craig Titus (USA)
10) Gunter Schlierkamp (Germany)
11) Sergei Chelestov
12) J.D. Dawodu
13) Claude Groulx
14) Constintino Polebel
15) Eddie Abbew
16) John Hodgson
[did not place]
Gustavo Badell
Jason Carter
Gianluca Danielle
Dennis Francis
Alex Georijev
Mark Harris
Jenz Kunstler
Alison Maria
Erwin Marquez
Mustafa Mohammad
Alvers Visockis
TWENTY-ONE CAME FLEXING!
The 2001 Mr. Olympia contest, staged at the Mandalay Bay Resort &
amp; Casino last Saturday (October 27), was the most exciting in the event's 36-year history. Twenty-one athletes gave it their all in pursuit of the sport's ultimate prize—the Sandow statuette and the Mr. O title. Here is an insider’s guide to the fortunes of the Mr. O class of 2001.
1ST: RONNIE COLEMAN
Halloween came early for three-time champ Ronnie Coleman, as he got the biggest fright of his Olympia tenure thanks to a massive and shredded Jay Cutler who came to Vegas loaded for bear. Compounding Cutler’s threat was Ronnie's less-than-100 percent condition: He was holding water with his stomach distended and his front thighs smooth;hence, the champ lost the first two rounds (muscularity and symmetry) by a combined six-point margin. Improved by evening time, Ronnie then won the last two rounds (posing and posedown) by a combined margin of ten points, which sealed his fourth title by a too-close-for-comfort four points. At the end of the day, even Ronnie thought he had lost. In Cutler’s defense, if an athlete is good enough to win the prejudging (muscularity and symmetry rounds), hasn't he been judged to have the best body? It is true that after falling behind, Ronnie fought back with a passion in the evening, but isn't body-building about who has the best physique, not the best dancing moves?
2ND: JAY CUTLER
In the run-in to the contest Cutler had been touted as a top six candidate, but seven pounds heavier than last year, he was at night's end only a few points away from becoming the 11th Mr. Olympia in the contest's 36-year history. While others ranted and raved about their ambitions during the months preceding the contest, Cutler kept a lower profile than an underground limbo dancer. On fight night, armed with increased upper body mass and cut-to-the-bone condition, Cutler let hisbody do his talking to almost upset the Coleman apple (and/or oranges) cart. At 28, Cutler was the youngest in the contest and now emerges as Coleman's main threat in 2002.
3RD: KEVIN LEVRONE
After a "will-he won't -he" run-in to the contest saga that saw him eventually fined $25,000 for failing to sign an Olympia contract, Levrone came into the event somewhat smaller than usual, particularly in the thighs. However the always-competitive Maryland Muscle Machine made the best of what he had to eke out a third-place spot in his tenth consecutive Olympia. Kevin spent a lot of time in the posedown encouraging Cutler to get next to Coleman, and look for him to keep up his "Coleman should not be champ" campaign in the next few months.
4TH: SHAWN RAY
In his thirteenth Olympia Shawn Ray (for the twelfth time) finished in the top five, although it seemed this time around he was not as sharp as he has been in the past. Still, Ray did win a victory of sorts at this year's Olympia by having the IFBB agree to provide a full breakdown of each judges score rather than the issuing of total scores only.
5TH: CHRIS CORMIER
Hailed as the number-one contender throughout the year, Cormier's threat never materialized and he was a major disappointment. “The Real Deal” did not step forward on the night of his big fight, and the scuttlebutt in Venice Beach was that Cormier’s “extra- curricular” activities continued as he prepared for the contest. If Cormier is serious about toppling Coleman, he will need to give 100 percent concentration to the task.
6TH: ORVILLE BURKE
The walking sandwich board with a taper dropped 10 pounds since winning titles at the Toronto and Night of Champions contest s in May. The lighter bodyweight improved his overall look, in which his awesome shoulder width and tiny waist immediately demanded attention. A deserved top six finish for a guy who hasn't stopped building muscle, yet.
7TH: DENNIS JAMES
Has built quality muscle in his back this past year and he was hard and in good condition. However he was not as full as he had looked twenty-four hours earlier. That being said, he still seemed to be top six material and he's one of the most driven guys in the contest.
8TH: DEXTER JACKSON
Jackson was in superb condition, has flowing lines and full muscle bellies, a'la Flex Wheeler, but again finished at least three places lower than he seemed to deserve. Jackson's contest placings are as big a mystery as why Dolly Parton get a black eye whenever she goes jogging.
9TH: NASSER EL SONBATY
El Sonbaty was much fuller and much more cut than he has been for the last three Olympias, but it seemed that he was penalized by anomalies around the right rear delt. That being said, others had similar eccentricities without being punished.
10TH: KING KAMALI
Kamali made more noise coming into this contest than a Sumo wrestler dressed in a suit of armor trampolining in a wind tunnel (pause for the visual). Still, you have to hand it to the King, as he delivered an impressive tenth place finish in his first Olympia. He was crisp and dry, and his posing routine brought the house down.
11TH: MELVIN ANTHONY
The most good-natured competitor onstage was not in great condition but he nailed down eleventh spot due to his full-bellied musculature and professional and innovative presentation of each pose.
12TH: CRAIG TITUS
His newly-streamlined midsection was immediately noticeable, although he'd obviously sacrificed size for conditioning in the bargain. After his year-long smackfest with Kamali, Titus showed a lot of class when he applauded his protagonist's superiorplacing. After the contest Titus was disappointed in his performance, but 12th in his first Olympia in a 21 man line-up ain't chopped liver.
13TH: VINCE TAYLOR
The five-time Masters Olympia champ gave the most bravura posing performance of the evening , despite a leg injury , fully illuminated by heavy strapping to his left ankle.
14TH: MARKUS RUHL
At 275 pounds, this crowd favorite was lighter than last year, but still looked like the side of a house. His 13thplace spot generated the biggest boofest (apart from Cutler being second) of the evening. In an age of freaky muscle it's difficult to fathom out why Ruhl did not finish higher.
15TH: GUNTER SCHLIERKAMP
Working with Chad Nicholls, Schlierkamp has spectacularly streamlined his midsection, and his overall condition was excellent. Nevertheless, the likeable German still has to work on bringing his upper body into line with his superb leg development.
16TH:TOM PRINCE
Lacked tightness and dryness and was not the competitive presence he was at the Night of Champions
17TH: J.D. DAWODU
The Brit has loads of eye-popping muscle with his split biceps and massive chest being standouts--but the lack of a classical structure stopped him from making major headway.
18TH: DARREM CHARLES
Good condition but not the best-ever from this class act.
19TH: PAVOL JABLONICKY
Rock hard upper body, particularly in his deep-hewn abs and delts and arms. His legs not being on a muscular par with his upper body consigned him to 19th.
20TH: CLAUDE GROULX
Good all-round package but has been in better condition.
21ST: MIKE MATARAZZO
Not in the tight and cut condition he was at the Night of Champions. Of course, not being at his best didn't stop Mike from posing up a storm at the evening show.
FOR FULL COVERAGE OF THE 2001 MR. OLYMPIA CONTEST, SEE FLEX'S JANUARY 2002 ISSUE: ON SALE, DECEMBER 4
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