THANK YOU SHANGHAI

Dear Friends and Colleagues in Sport:

On behalf of the International Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness, I wish to congratulate the Chinese Bodybuilding Association and the Shanghai Bodybuilding Association for their herculean efforts in organizing the 59th IFBB Men's World Amateur Bodybuilding Championships and IFBB International Congress in the beautiful city of Shanghai, China, November 23-28, 2005.

In 1994, Shanghai successfully hosted the 48th IFBB Men's World Amateur Bodybuilding Championships and IFBB International Congress. Playing host to the world's premiere men's amateur bodybuilding event was the dream of the late Professor Lou Zhuo Yu, father of bodybuilding in China. I was greatly impressed with the genuine hospitality and warm friendship of the Chinese people. Their sincere passion for bodybuilding and loyal support of the IFBB was readily evident as no stone was left unturned in their quest to produce the most successful Championships ever.

It takes courage, confidence and sustained teamwork to organize an event of this magnitude. Since 1994, China has done much to enhance its reputation as a leading international sporting venue. The fact that Beijing, China will host the 2008 Olympic Games speaks volumes of the commitment towards sport by the Chinese government and its people.

My sincere thanks to Feng Jianzhong, Vice Minister of the State Sport General Administration of China and Honorary President of the Organizing Committee, for his patronage of the 59th IFBB Men's World Amateur Bodybuilding Championships and IFBB International Congress.

A special thank you to Paul Chua, DSM, IFBB Vice President for Asia. The fact that these Championships were organized in China is not only a tribute to his wise leadership but is also in recognition of our great respect for him.

Sincere thanks to Li Jie, Director of the Chinese Leisure Sports Administration Center and President of the Organizing Committee.

Special thanks to Liu Guangchun, President of the Chinese Bodybuilding Association and President of the Organizing Committee.

Thanks to Yu Chen, Director of the Shanghai Administration of Sports and President of the Organizing Committee, and Chen Chaoxian, Head of the People's Government of Changning District and President of the Organizing Committee.

Of course, many more people are involved in the organization of such an event, some of whom you will see in the photographs below.

On behalf of all participants, and to the entire Organizing Committee, thank you for your professionalism and for a job well done!

Ben Weider, CM, CQ, SBStJ, PhD
IFBB President

SOME OF THE MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
From left to right: Mr. Cao Guo Zhen, Director, Shanghai Sports Development & Service Center, Ms. Fang Ping, Secretary/Office Manager, Shanghai Sports Development & Service Center, Ms. Wang Ruixa, General-Secretary, Chinese Bodybuilding Association (CBBA), Ms. Lin Jie, Deputy Director General, Chinese Leisure Sports Administration Center), Datuk Paul Chua, IFBB Vice President Asia, and Secretary General, Asian Bodybuilding Federation (ABBF), Mr. Qiu Wei Chang, Deputy Director, Shanghai Administration of Sports and Vice-Chairman of the Shanghai Sports Federation, Mr. Simon Chan, Assistant Secretary, Asian Bodybuilding Federation (ABBF) and Chairman, China HongKong Bodybuilding Association, Mr. Zhou Wei Zhong, Secretary, Chinese Bodybuilding Association (CBBA)

SOME OF THE MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
From left to right: Ms. Wang Ruixa, General-Secretary, Chinese Bodybuilding Association (CBBA), Mr. Jiang Jian Fa, Director, Shanghai International Gymnastics Center, Ms. Lin Jie, Deputy Director General, Chinese Leisure Sports Administration Center, Datuk Paul Chua, IFBB Vice President Asia, and Secretary General, Asian Bodybuilding Federation (ABBF), Mr. Yang Yong Hua, Vice Director, Shanghai International Gymnastics Center, Mr. Zhou Wei Zhong, Secretary, Chinese Bodybuilding Association (CBBA)