Ben Weider, C.M., C.Q., SBStJ, Ph.D.
IFBB Founder & International President

In last year's President's Report, I delivered a loud and clear message: "Cheating, by using steroids and other drugs, is unacceptable in the IFBB and will not be tolerated." I am proud to report that we continue to make groundbreaking strides in that area. In response to recent policy changes by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), we have thoroughly updated the IFBB Anti-Doping Program. This move to match the IOC's aggressive position will help ensure a level playing field for the vast majority of our bodybuilding athletes who practice sportsmanship and would never consider using drugs to gain an advantage.

And when I say a vast majority of the athletes competing under the IFBB umbrella are drug free, that is not just a notion, that is a fact! Over the past five years, the number of positive test results at IFBB drug-tested contests has decreased by 86%. That incredible decrease is testimony to the unwavering vigilance of the National Federations and the commitment of our leaders who strictly enforce our "zero tolerance" policy against doping.

I wish to thank the IFBB Medical Commission and IFBB Technical Committee for their invaluable input and hard work in updating the IFBB Anti-Doping Program. Together, they helped create a program that passed an on-site assessment conducted by a representative from the esteemed World Anti-Doping Agency at the IFBB Men's World Amateur Bodybuilding Championships, organized in Myanmar last year. After a close review of the doping control and testing procedures, WADA awarded their highest rating, an "A" grade, to our testing program. This grade confirms that our policy mirrors the Olympic Movement Anti-Doping Code.

I'm pleased to report encouraging news. The IFBB was part of the 14th Asian Games this past October, in Busan, South Korea, and will participate in the 22nd Southeast Asia Games and the 2003 South Pacific Games. All three are official games of the International Olympic Committee, and the National Olympic Committees involved in these regional events carefully select which sports are included.

At the Asian Games in South Korea, bodybuilding was one of 38 sports represented. It was thanks to Paul Chua, IFBB Vice President for Asia, that we were accepted as a medal sport in those games. Mr. Chua, as you may know, is regarded as "The Father of Bodybuilding in Asia", and with good reason: he has dedicated his life to the growth and development of our beloved sport on that continent. He was also instrumental in bodybuilding's acceptance as an official medal sport in the Southeast Asia Games, to be held in Hanoi, Vietnam, in November 2003. We look forward to this competition in Vietnam, where our sport has gained tremendous popularity as observed by Prof. Hoang Vinh Giang, the General Secretary of the Vietnam Olympic Committee. He not only recognized that bodybuilding is a very popular sport there, but acknowledged that many Vietnamese "practice it on a regular basis." That acceptance and positive attitude certainly bodes well as we continue to promote the healthy and inspiring lifestyle of bodybuilding.

At the South Pacific Games, bodybuilding will share the stage with 33 other medal sports in this prestigious international competition. Warran Langman, IFBB Vice President for the South Pacific, is coordinating the details with Dr. Robin Mitchell, a member of the Fiji Association of Sports and the National Olympic Committee. With 4,000 athletes from 22 countries, this 40th anniversary of the South Pacific Games will be the biggest ever.

There is also more to report on the Olympic front. My Executive Assistant Rafael Santonja and I recently met with the new president of the IOC, Dr. Jacques Rogge, and the sports director of the IOC, Mr. Gilbert Felli. They informed us that new rules would be created before the end of 2002 - rules that would allow federations without permanent Olympic recognition to apply. The IOC is dissatisfied with the current rules and changed the status of several federations that were awaiting permanent recognition. The IFBB will apply for full recognition as soon as these new rules have been approved. Of course, we will keep you apprised as these exciting events unfold.

As we concurrently pursue our Olympic objectives, the sport of bodybuilding and the IFBB is growing. Indeed, bodybuilding has expanded to every corner of the globe, with 173 nations now officially part of the IFBB. A great example of this expansion is in Europe, where we have 47 National Federations that are now organized into a cohesive group known as the European Bodybuilding & Fitness Federation (EBFF). They are following the blueprint of other regional successful federations like the Arab Bodybuilding Federation, the South Pacific Bodybuilding Federation and the Asian Bodybuilding Federation, among others. Rafael Santonja, one of the most highly regarded officials of the IFBB, was given authority to organize the European Federations, and he was elected as the new federation's first president. I'd like to say, they could not have selected a more energetic, intelligent and wise individual for this esteemed post. I wish to congratulate my dear friend and colleague Mr. Santonja and all of the other distinguished and dedicated officials who were elected or appointed to the European Federation's Executive Committee.

The IFBB is also enjoying incredible growth in the online community. Our website receives over three-and-a-half million visitors from over 140 countries in a typical month, and we've had as many as 6.6 million in one month. The Internet has proven to be an amazing tool for the IFBB to promote itself and the sport. This past year, we launched the "IFBB Hall of Fame," which has garnered a fantastic response. We plan to continue serving our members via this online presence, and reach out to those countries and individuals who would like to join in our bodybuilding endeavours.

This coming year, we face opportunities and challenges alike. I am heartened by the announcement of IOC rule changes, and I believe that our acceptance is not a matter of "if", only a matter of "when". Challenges also await as we continue to pursue our goal of being a 100% drug-free sport, an endeavour I fully expect to accomplish thanks to the dedication of all of you in attendance, those across the world who work on behalf of the IFBB, and the athletes who believe in the spirit of fair play and who represent the true qualities of bodybuilding.

Finally, we relish our opportunity to promote the sport of bodybuilding across the globe. Inherent in our sport is opportunity; we have an activity that can benefit anyone and everyone. We are not a sport for the few, but a sport for the many. Whether people choose to bodybuild for their own personal enjoyment or to one day compete, either way, that is our ultimate victory.

In closing, I'd like to announce that at this International Congress in Cairo, we will be holding elections for all positions on the Executive Council. These elections take place every four years: only officials who are nominated by their National Federations can stand for election. Please take note of the time to vote - the role of the Executive Council is vital, and your decision will shape the IFBB as we continue to grow and flourish.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Eng. Adel Fahim El Sayed, president of the Egyptian Bodybuilding Federation and vice-president of the IFBB for the continent of Africa. Dr. Eng. Adel Fahim El Sayed is a highly dedicated and motivated individual who has played a key role in making the IFBB what it is today, and we are honoured to be holding the Congress and World Championships here in Cairo, Egypt. I wish you all a very entertaining and enlightening stay in this beautiful country, and may you return home with memories that last a lifetime.

Ben Weider, CM, CQ, SBStJ, PhD
IFBB Founder & International President

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