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OSCAR STATE, OBE
Oscar State was one of the most experienced administrators and officials in the history of sport. By instruction and example, he influenced thousands of people, both in and out of the world of bodybuilding. Oscar officiated at 9 Olympic Games, 21 Regional meets such as the Pan-Am, Maccabiah, Asian and Commonwealth Games, 2 World Games, 24 World Weightlifting Championships, 27 World Bodybuilding Championships, 9 Mr. Olympias, 51 international bodybuilding contests and 101 international weightlifting contests. He competed as an athlete, and traveled over 3 million miles in the service of sport. Oscar was a teacher by profession; a graduate of Goldsmiths College in London and Carnegie Physical Education College in Leeds. During World War II, he was a sports officer in the RAF and was responsible for the physical training of over 7,000 airmen. After the war, he became secretary of the British Amateur WeightLifters Association (BAWLA). His first duty with the association was to organize the weightlifting competition for the 1948 London Olympic Games. Oscar would become secretary-general of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), a position he held from 1960 to 1976. Oscar joined the IFBB in the late '60s. Already highly respected throughout the world of sport and well known throughout the Olympic Movement, Oscar was instrumental in democratizing the IFBB. His was the guiding hand behind the first Constitution; the first Code of Ethics; the first Judging and Technical Rules. Oscar brought with him a unique blend of steadfast loyalty, unselfish dedication, and genuine commitment to what quickly became his passion - the IFBB and the sport he truly loved. Oscar later became the IFBB’s executive vice president. In that capacity, he was instrumental in winning membership for the IFBB in the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) and the International Council for Sport and Physical Education (ICSPE) of UNESCO. GAISF is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and accepts among its membership only one International Sport Governing Body (ISGB) per sport. For the sport of bodybuilding, that ISGB is the IFBB. This single event lent credibility, integrity and respectability to the IFBB and the sport. Oscar State received the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE), presented to him by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Said Ben Weider, IFBB Founder and President and longtime friend, "The IFBB has been blessed in such a way that the right people have always come along at exactly the right time. Oscar was such a person; one of the most gifted officials I have ever known. His contribution to the growth and development of the IFBB and the sport was so important that I cannot even begin to imagine where we would be without the efforts of this extraordinary man." Today, the IFBB honors the memory of this outstanding pioneer by presenting each year to the top IFBB official worldwide the Oscar State Memorial Award. |
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IN MEMORIUM
With heavy heart and deep regret I write these words of tribute for my dear and loyal friend, Oscar State, who passed away on July 2, 1984, at the age of 72. On a recent trip to London, England, I visited Oscar at his home. He had undergone an operation for cancer and had lost more than 45 pounds. He was not his usual ebullient self. We spend several hours reminiscing, talking about the early era of bodybuilding, of 1949 when we first met. From the very beginning Oscar was a great supporter of bodybuilding, particularly of the IFBB. Due to his expert guidance, encouragement and knowledge, I was able to forge a new direction for the IFBB in 1969 – the same year that the IFBB conducted an official election under a new constitution. Oscar played a vital role in creating our constitution and helped us to begin conducting ourselves in a democratic manner – the hallmark of other international sports federations. Over the years, Oscar’s advice proved to be flawless. As a matter of fact, as the IFBB continued to grow Oscar undertook the responsibility of executive vice-president, a position that required that he travel the world tirelessly, attending IFBB activities and solving various problems along the way. As everyone in the sport world knows, Oscar acted as the “point man” at all World Amateur Championships and International Congresses. He also found time in his hectic schedule to aid the English Federation of Bodybuilders so that now the organization is the dominant bodybuilding force in the UK, able to function successfully on its own. Recently, he finished the monumental task of preparing the “IFBB Guide Book for Judges, Competitors and Organizers: Judging IFBB Men’s, Women’s and Couples’ Competitions” – a document that is essential for the effective judging of our events. More than any other official, Oscar had assisted numerous people in the IFBB, helping them in ways and under circumstances that would have frightened off lesser men. We will continue his work. We will continue to maintain our important position in the world of sport, a position that is due largely to Oscar’s influence. Bodybuilders, officials of the IFBB and many others the world over who knew Oscar mourn his passing. On behalf of the IFBB, I extend to his wife, Mac, and his daughters our profound condolences. Reprinted from FLEX (January 1985)
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EULOGY
Today is one of the saddest days of my life. Losing Oscar is like losing an arm, like losing a brother. Oscar’s loss has thrown the entire bodybuilding world into a state of mourning: He was a pillar of strength and a guiding light for the 123 nations that are members of the IFBB. Governments create holidays or special days in order to remember a special person, but I won’t need a special day set aside to remember Oscar. I’ll always remember him because he was my true friend, my teacher, my mentor. Any time I needed advice, Oscar was there to give it to me. Any time I needed assistance, Oscar was there to assist me. Any time I needed guidance, Oscar was there to guide me. Any time I needed Oscar, Oscar was available, not only to me, as president, but to all IFBB members. Oscar was young at heart, untiring and energetic, a man at whom everyone marveled for his unceasing activity. He worked harder and longer hours than many members who were only 30 years old. Even last year [1983] in Vegas when he wasn’t well, he would work until 2 AM and 3 AM without complaint. His work was his pleasure. Oscar’s contributions were recognized by the IFBB when he was presented with our highest award, the President’s Gold Medal. He was also awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Her Majesty the Queen for his contribution to sports worldwide. Oscar was a man’s man. Paul Chua, as head of the Asian IFBB, representing 18 member nations, has flown in from Singapore to pay his respects and be with us today. Albert Busek, president of the German Amateur Bodybuilding Federation, has traveled from Munich to pay his respects. My brother, Joe Weider, who had firm commitments he could not break and was therefore unable to be present today, shares in our bereavement. He has asked me to convey to Oscar’s family on his behalf, as well as that of the staffs of FLEX and MUSCLE & FITNESS, his personal condolences. Oscar, though you are no longer with us, you continue to live through the legacy you have left behind. May you enjoy peace in heaven. London, England
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