The Ms. Olympia has been held annually since 1980. The 1999 edition is the 20th since the event's inception.

The largest Ms. Olympia was in 1990 when 30 women competed.

The smallest Ms. Olympia was in 1996 when just 12 competitors took part.

Since 1980, 172 different women have competed in the Ms. Olympia.

Twenty-eight countries have been represented at the Ms. Olympia including: USA, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, France, Holland, England, Guyana, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Australia, Trinidad, Japan, Slovakia, Italy, Guadeloupe, Lithuania, Puerto Rico, Hungary, Czech Republic, West Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain, Ukraine, Venezuela and Yugoslavia.

Most Ms. Olympia victories: Cory Everson, USA, 6 and Lenda Murray, USA, 6.

Most consecutive Ms. Olympia victories: Cory Everson, USA, 6 and Lenda Murray, USA, 6.

Most Ms. Olympia competitions: Laura Creavalle, Guyana/USA, 1988-1998, 11.

Most consecutive Ms. Olympia competitions: Laura Creavalle, Guyana/USA, 11, 1988-1998.

The first Ms. Olympia winner was Rachel McLish, USA, 1980.

There have been six Ms. Olympia winners: Rachel McLish, USA, 1980, 1982; Kike Elomaa, Finland, 1981; Carla Dunlap, USA, 1983; Cory Everson, USA, 1984-1989; Lenda Murray, USA, 1990-1995; Kim Chizevsky, USA, 1996-1998.

The Ms. Olympia has been outside the United States on two occasions: Montreal, Canada, 1984, and Prague, Czech Republic, 1998.

Twenty women competed in the first Ms. Olympia in 1980.

Ms. Olympia's largest contestant: Nicole Bass, USA, 204 lbs (1997).

Ms. Olympia's smallest contestant: Erika Mes, Holland, 102 lbs (1984).

Ms. Olympia's tallest contestant: Nicole Bass, USA, 6'2" (1997).

Ms. Olympia's shortest contestant: Michele Ralabate, USA, 4'11" (1995).

Ms. Olympia's youngest contestant: Lorie Johnson, USA, 17 (1980).

Ms. Olympia's oldest contestant: Christa Bauch, Germany, 47 (1994).

Rachel McLish is the only Ms. Olympia winner to regain the title after losing it - winning in 1980, then again in 1982.

Slimmest margin of victory: 1 point. Lenda Murray edged Bev Francis at the 1991 Ms. Olympia by a final score of 31 to 32.

The largest single-year improvement in placement was achieved by Marie Laure (France) moving from 16th place in 1993 to 4th in 1994.

The best attended Ms. Olympia was in 1985 at the Felt Forum in New York City when 4,800 fans viewed the event. Cory Everson won her second of six Ms. Olympia crowns that night.