Rafael Santonja, Executive Assistant to the President and Chair of the meeting, officially opened the meeting at 3:15pm.

Rafael presented brief introductory remarks and welcomed the members of the Executive Council. Present at the meeting were:

Rafael Santonja, Executive Assistant to the President
Pamela Kagan, Executive Director
Paul Chua, DSM, Vice President Asia
Albert Busek, Vice President Europe
Javier Pollock, Vice President Caribbean
Paul Graham, Vice President Oceania
Dr. Eng. Adel Fahim El Sayed, Vice President Africa
Philip Hope, Vice President South Pacific
Tony Blinn, Chairman Technical Committee
Dr. Bob Goldman, Chairman Medical Commission
Prof. Dr. Eduardo H. De Rose, Special Advisor
Mostafa Hefzi, Patron

The IFBB President’s Report was placed into the record.

REPORT of the IFBB Executive Assistant to the President

Rafael reminded the members to remain persistent in their efforts to promote a positive image of the sport within the Olympic Movement and to continue their efforts at ensuring the participation of bodybuilding within IOC recognized Regional Games.

Rafael discussed the importance of TV and stated that our World Championships can be made available to all National Federations on DVD or other formats for re-broadcasting at the national level.

Rafael reported record participation throughout 2005, particularly at the World Women’s Championships in Santa Susanna, Spain, and at the World Juniors & Masters Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

Rafael discussed the rapid growth of the new Men’s Body Fitness discipline (to be called “CLASSIC BODYBUILDING”). HEIGHT vs WEIGHT categories e.g. people that train with weights but not for competitive bodybuilding as currently practiced.

HEIGHT (IN CM) – 100 = WEIGHT (IN KG) + ALLOWANCE

Up to and including 170 cm (+2 kg)
Up to and including 178 cm (+4 kg)
Over 178 cm (+6 kg)

REPORTS of the IFBB Vice Presidents

The Chair gave each Vice President the opportunity to present a brief report on the activities within their area of concern. In general, the sport continues to experience worldwide growth and development.

Paul Chua, DSM, IFBB Vice President for Asia, reported on the inclusion of bodybuilding as an official medal sport in the Asian Games; the need for judging transparency; and the success of the new ABFF website. The ABBF has 44 member-countries; is recognized by the Olympic Council of Asia; and participates in the Asian and South East Asian Games. The next Asian Games are in Doha, Qatar in 2006.

Albert Busek, IFBB Vice President for Europe, reported that he was very pleased that the European Bodybuilding & Fitness Federation had been formed on May 18, 2002 to strengthen the sport among its 46 member-countries. Rafael thanked Albert for his hard work at the 2005 Duisburg World Games.

Javier Pollock, IFBB Vice President for the Caribbean, reported that, despite some setbacks as a result of recent hurricanes, his area was experiencing increased growth.

Paul Graham, IFBB Vice President for Oceania, reported on his longtime support of the Executive Council.

Philip Hope, IFBB Vice President for the South Pacific, reported on the success of the South Pacific Games, with bodybuilding included as a medal sport.

Dr. Eng. Adel Fahim El Sayed, IFBB Vice President for Africa, thanked Rafael and Tony Blinn for their assistance in the matter of the need to conform the statutes of the Arab Federation of BodyBuilders (AFBB) to the IFBB Constitution.

The reports of Jim Manion, IFBB Vice President North America, Aquiles de Cesare, IFBB Vice President South America, and Malih Alaywan, IFBB Vice President Middle East, were placed into the record.

REPORT of the IFBB Judges Committee

Rafael reported continual improvements in judging worldwide due to increased numbers of seminars, such as the IFBB/EBFF International Judges, Coaches & Trainers Course, as well as the comprehensive monitoring of Judging Accuracy Scores at the Continental and World levels.

Rafael also reported that the new computer-scoring program, which has been tested at numerous Continental and World events, is nearly ready for distribution to the National Federations.

REPORT of the IFBB Technical Committee

REPORT of the IFBB Women’s Committee

The chair presented a brief report on the increased growth of Women's Fitness and Women's Body Fitness, particularly at the Junior levels.

Rafael reported that the incumbent chairperson has not been active within the IFBB for the past two years and, with the tremendous growth of women’s fitness and body fitness, this position needed to be filled immediately by a highly capable official who is willing, ready and able to dedicate her time and effort towards women’s issues.

REPORT of the IFBB Medical Commission

Dr. Bob Goldman presented a brief report highlighting the IFBB’s efforts towards anti-doping. Bob indicated there might be an opportunity to “piggyback” IFBB educational courses with Anti-Aging symposiums that are held worldwide.

Prof. Dr. Eduardo H. De Rose presented a brief overview of doping controls within the IFBB during the 2005 competitive season.

Prof. Dr. De Rose spoke to the issues of adopting new rules to conform to the WADA Code since the IFBB is already a Signatory.

REPORT of the IFBB Professional Division

PROPOSITION #1

Be it resolved that the IFBB officially recognize the sport disciplines of Men’s Fitness and Men’s Body Fitness (to be called “CLASSIC BODYBUILDING”).

PROPOSITION #2

PROPOSITION #3

Be it resolved that, in keeping with the decision made by the IFBB Executive Council on November 6, 2003, and by the IFBB Congress on November 9, 2003, in Mumbai, India; said decision which stated:

”Be it resolved that the IFBB shall take steps to adopt the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code. Further, once the WADA Code is formally adopted, the IFBB shall take whatever measures are necessary to ensure that its anti-doping program is in full compliance with the Code.”

the IFBB adopt the new IFBB Anti-Doping Rules, Version 1.0, and further, that said rules shall have force and effect as of January 1, 2006 .

*these Anti-Doping Rules are based on the WADA “Models of Best Practice” and are intended to replace the current IFBB Anti-Doping Program.

Click here for a copy of the new IFBB Anti-Doping Rules in PDF format

PROPOSITION #4

Be it resolved that In-Competition testing be carried out as follows:

1. A number of athletes selected at random during the Competition e.g. at Weigh-in.
2. A number of athletes selected at random from among the Top Finalists e.g. at the Finals.

PROPOSITION #5

PROPOSITION #6

A proposition was presented to reduce the number of categories in women’s bodybuilding from three to two, with a cutoff of 55 kg (121 lbs). Over the past three years, statistics at the World Championships have shown an average of 8 competitors in the Lightweight (-52 kg) category, with an average of 15 competitors in the Middleweight (-57 kg) category and 17 competitors in the Heavyweight (+57 kg) category. Bodyweight data gathered over the three-year period has shown that 55 kg (121 lbs) would be a more appropriate cutoff if the number of categories were reduced to two and would “even out” the average number of competitors in each category at 20.

After some discussion, it was decided to retain the current three bodyweight categories (see table below) and to actively encourage increased participation at the Women’s World Championships, particularly in the 52kg category.

PROPOSITION #7

Be it resolved that the bodyweight categories in men's bodybuilding are amended as follows:

National Federations will be permitted to enter a team of up to a maximum of eight (8) competitors at the Men’s World Championships, with no more than two (2) competitors in the same category.

PROPOSITION #8

PROPOSITION #9

Be it resolved that the Event Organizer shall provide two separate Event Special Packages as follows:

1. FULL PACKAGE: accommodations, meals, onsite transportation*, tickets to Prejudging, Finals and Farewell Banquet.

2. PARTIAL PACKAGE: onsite transportation*, tickets to Prejudging, Finals and Farewell Banquet.

PROPOSITION #10

Be it resolved that the use of Green Cards for access* to the Official Athlete Registration and backstage area at the Competition venue site be implemented as follows:

1. Up to 5 competitors: 1 Green Card
2. 5 competitors & over: 2 Green Cards

PROPOSITION #11

Be it resolved that, in Women’s Fitness, the top 15 finalists after RD1 (bikini) will advance to RD2 (routine).

PROPOSITION #12

Be it resolved that, in Women’s Fitness, the top 10 finalists from the Prejudging (RD1 + RD2) will advance to the Finals (RD3).

PROPOSITION #13

Be it resolved that, in Women’s Fitness, in RD3, the top 10 finalists shall first perform their routine (not scored), and then the top 5 finalists shall return in their bikini to perform the quarter turns (scored).

PROPOSITION #14

Be it resolved that, in Women’s Fitness, in RD3, the top 5 finalists in numerical order shall perform the quarter turns at stage center, left and right, and then, the order shall be reversed and the quarter turns shall again be performed at stage center, left and right.

PROPOSITION #15

Be it resolved that, in Men’s and Women’s Bodybuilding, the Finals shall proceed as follows:

1. RD2: routine (music length up to a maximum of 60 seconds)
2. RD3: compulsory poses
3. Posedown (60 seconds)

PROPOSITION #16

PROPOSITION #17

PROPOSITION #18

PROPOSITION #19

Be it resolved that the article governing “Cash Awards” be deleted.

PROPOSITION #20

Be it resolved that the Master Men’s Bodybuilding categories be amended as follows:

PROPOSITION #21

Be it resolved that the Women’s Body Fitness categories be amended as follows:

PROPOSITION #22

Be it resolved that the Junior Women’s Body Fitness categories be amended as follows:

PROPOSITION #23

Be it resolved that the Junior Women’s Fitness categories be amended as follows:

GENERAL

Be it resolved that the IFBB Constitution, for legal, technical and administrative reasons, shall be amended to remove all references to the term “professional” [where the term relates specifically to professional sport].

Be it further resolved that the IFBB Constitution shall be amended to remove all references to the term “amateur” [where the term relates specifically to amateur sport], except for Article 4.1 wherein the IFBB is defined as an “international amateur sport governing body”.

Note 1: This amendment shall also apply to the IFBB Code of Ethics, IFBB Amateur Rules, IFBB Anti-Doping Rules and IFBB Professional Rules

Note 2: This amendment effectively separates the IFBB Professional Division from the IFBB Amateur Division, creating an entirely new independent organization called the “IFBB Professional League”, a.k.a. “IFBB Pro League”, a.k.a. “Pro League”. The “Pro League” will operate under its own by-laws and rules as a legally and financially separate and independent professional sport governing body for the sport of bodybuilding, fitness and figure.

ARTICLE 1.1.7

ARTICLE 5.1.4

ARTICLE 7.1.5

ARTICLE 9

ARTICLE 9.1

ARTICLE 10.7

ARTICLE 11.7

ARTICLE 11.11.5

ARTICLE 13.1.4

ARTICLE 15.2.3

ARTICLE 15.6.2

ARTICLE 16

ARTICLE 19.4.7

ARTICLE 19.4.8

Once recognized by the IFBB pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Constitution and Rules, or pursuant to the terms and conditions of the constitution and rules of a National, Regional or Continental affiliate, no athlete, judge, official, administrator or other Member shall hold membership in any other bodybuilding and/or fitness organization; nor shall that Member participate in or promote, in any way, shape or form, their activities, failing which the Member may be fined, suspended or expelled. ”

ARTICLE 22

Insert a new Article 22 entitled “Doping”.

22.1 Position Statement:

The practice of sport involves physical health and fitness, dedication to training, and proper nutrition. Doping, which includes the use of Prohibited Substances and Prohibited Methods to artificially enhance performance, is unethical, contrary to the concept of fair play, undermines the values of sport, and can endanger the health of the athletes. The practice of doping is forbidden within the IFBB.

22.2 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code:

The IFBB officially recognizes the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) as the international authority in anti-doping matters. The IFBB is an official Signatory to the WADA Code and, by means of the IFBB Anti-Doping Rules, conforms to the provisions of the WADA Code.

22.3 Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS):

The IFBB officially recognizes the authority of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS) and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

*Renumber the current Article 22 to Article 23.

Click here for a copy of the new IFBB Constitution in PDF format

2006 IFBB Men’s World Amateur Bodybuilding Championships & IFBB International Congress

Allocation of Championships

Other Business

The Chair presented a brief report on a recent trip that he made to Damascus, Syria, accompanied by Tony Blinn. The purpose of the trip was to assist the Arab Federation of BodyBuilders (AFBB) to amend their statutes to conform to the IFBB Constitution.