Dear Friends in Sport:

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the online 2004 IFBB International Congress Report.

This year marks the fifth in a row in which our annual Congress Report appears online. We are very pleased to publish news of our activities to our millions of Internet viewers from over 150 countries around the world.

In my 2004 President's Report, I focus on the dedication and commitment of our officials - the primary reason why the sport and the IFBB continue to experience worldwide growth and development.

The Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness of Russia (FBFR), under the leadership of its current president Vladimir Dubinin, is a prime example of this growth and development.

When I first visited Russia in 1952, Soviet authorities aggressively discouraged bodybuilding. Thirty-five years later, in 1987, the Soviet Union officially recognized the sport, the FBFR and the IFBB. Fifty-two years later, Russia is hosting the world’s elite bodybuilding athletes at the world’s premiere bodybuilding Championships.

I wish to congratulate the Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness of Russia for undertaking this monumental task. I especially wish to congratulate, commend and thank Konstantin Bochkarev, Vice Governor Chelyabinsk Region,for his kind generosity and patronage of these Championships.

The dedication and commitment of officials and good friends like Vladimir and Konstantin, coupled with their professionalism and organizational skills, is a clear example of why our sport and federation continue to grow and develop; not only in the past and present, but into the future as well.

On behalf of the IFBB, I wish all bodybuilding and fitness enthusiasts good health and good fortune.

Please enjoy the report!