As I once again welcome the opportunity to deliver my annual report to the International Congress, today is a day filled with mixed emotions … on the one hand, feelings of profound happiness and, on the other; a degree of sadness. Sixty years ago, in 1946, my brother Joe and I created the International Federation of Bodybuilders; the IFBB. For sixty years, it has been an honor and a privilege to have served as the only International President the IFBB has ever known.
One of the greatest challenges in my life was to build and shape the IFBB into one of the largest, strongest and best-run international sport federations in the world. In 1946, Joe and I started with two countries - Canada and the USA. Today, the IFBB has National Affiliates in 173 countries around the world and I am very proud of what we have accomplished together.
One of the greatest honors I have ever received came from His Excellency Juan Antonio Samaranch, Honorary President for Life of the International Olympic Committee. The Marqués de Samaranch once told me the IFBB was one of the greatest international sport federations in the world; well constructed, well organized, and comparable to any other major international sport federation, Olympic or non-Olympic. I could not have received a better compliment than this; from the number one sport personality in the world.
As the IFBB celebrates its 60th anniversary, I am profoundly happy at just how far we have come as a sport and as a federation. I am also somewhat sad because, after serving the IFBB for 60 years, I have decided to retire this year on the IFBB’s diamond anniversary. It is time to pass the torch to a new President; someone who will continue the great traditions of the IFBB … someone who will assure its continued worldwide growth and popularity.
After 60 years at the helm, it is now time for me to relax a little, if such a thing is even possible. Despite my retirement from the presidency and the day-to-day management and operation of the IFBB, I shall place myself at the service of the new President should he require my guidance, advise or assistance.
I feel confident that when you elect the new President, he will continue to work with the other members of the Executive Council and the thousands of dedicated and hardworking officials from the national, regional and continental federations to assure the continued development of bodybuilding and fitness, including its participation in all the regional and world games that are recognized by the International Olympic Committee.
I wish to now take this opportunity to express my personal feelings regarding some of the incredible people whom I have had the good fortune to call colleagues and friends.
For the past 30 years, I have worked closely with Dr. Rafael Santonja, Executive Assistant to the President and Chairman of the Judges Committee. Rafael and I have traveled all over the world numerous times and I have appointed Rafael to chair committees to solve many problems that occurred in different areas of the world. Rafael’s ability to resolve very complex issues with diplomacy, tact, fairness and professionalism was and is unparalleled. Rafael has the financial means and the time to travel, with a personal dedication and commitment to our sport that will assure the continued positive growth and development of the IFBB well into the future. Rafael is 100% devoted to our sport and he would, in my respectful opinion, make an excellent President should you the International Congress so decide.
Another individual whom I have worked with for the last 30 years is Datuk Paul Chua, Vice President for Asia and Secretary General of the Asian Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation. Paul has worked tirelessly to bring all 44 Asian countries together and through his dedicated efforts, and with the support of an excellent team around him, he was able to position bodybuilding as a medal sport in the South East Asian and Asian Games, which are recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Paul’s continued involvement as our Vice President in Asia bodes well for our future in that area of the world.
Mere words alone cannot express my sincere thanks and heartfelt gratitude to Pamela Kagan, Executive Director, for her exemplary service over the past 35 years. While administering to the needs of the 173 National Federations, her dedication to the IFBB and her excellent communications and diplomatic skills have enabled her to resolve issues promptly, in a fair and just manner. The role she plays within the IFBB is without equal and I am grateful for her loyalty and support throughout all these years.
My son, Eric Weider, General Secretary, is an extremely hardworking and highly successful businessman, entrepreneur, magazine publisher, historian, and philanthropist. Despite a very hectic schedule, Eric always takes the time to offer his support, guidance and expertise when needed. Eric remains fully informed and involved on a regular basis in the day-to-day management and operation of the IFBB.
Jim Manion, Vice President for North America and Chairman of the IFBB Professional League, reorganized the bodybuilding and fitness movement within the United States and brought the National Physique Committee of the USA into the IFBB family. For the past 25 years, Jim has been a highly motivated, well respected, dedicated official in whom I have had the utmost of confidence and to whom I am very thankful for his loyalty and support.
Tony Blinn, Chairman of the Technical Committee and Secretary of the IFBB Professional League, is another highly motivated, dedicated and loyal official who works diligently, day and night, to handle a wide variety of duties and responsibilities related to the day-to-day management and operation of the IFBB. Tony is webmaster of IFBB.com and, as such, deserves credit for the tremendous worldwide popularity of the IFBB website, which reaches out to over 180 countries around the world each month. Tony is also responsible for handling all IFBB technical matters and much, much more.
There are so many other people who I would like to thank for their ongoing support, loyalty and friendship, but it is impossible to thank them all. I would like to mention the following exceptional officials who have dedicated their lives to the betterment of the sport and the IFBB:
Malih Alaywan, Vice President for the Middle East, and I have been friends for over 50 years. I first met Malih in Warsaw, Poland in 1955 when we both attended the Youth and Sport Festival. It was Malih who introduced me to the late Oscar State, who was so instrumental in democratizing our federation and in acquiring recognition by GAISF; the General Association of International Sports Federations. Malih and I have met numerous times in various countries and, despite the most difficult political situations in the Middle East, Malih has always been loyal, dedicated, sincere, professional and did his very best to unify the Arab countries so that bodybuilding could continue to flourish and grow in that area.
Warren Langman, past Vice President for the South Pacific, was a great contributor to our success. I gave Warren the challenge to organize the 22 island-countries that are situated in the South Pacific. Warren accepted the challenge and, within two years, had a very successful federation organized in the area. The South Pacific Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation now participates in the South Pacific Games, which are recognized by the International Olympic Committee. This dedicated official traveled throughout all of the islands of the South Pacific, working to unify all South Pacific nations.
I wish to express special thanks to the following officials who played, and who continue to play, an important role in making the IFBB the great federation that it is:
Dr. Eng. Adel Fahim El Sayed, Vice President for Africa, is a great leader who organized the African Bodybuilding Federation. I can think of no better person to spearhead our efforts on this great continent. Adel Fahim also works throughout the Arab world to unify our sport there.
Albert Busek, Vice President for Europe, works diligently throughout all of Europe to promote bodybuilding and fitness and has dedicated his entire life towards the betterment of the sport and the IFBB.
Javier Pollock, Vice President for Central America and the Caribbean, is largely responsible for the growth and development of bodybuilding and fitness throughout this part of the Americas.
Philip Hope, Vice President for the South Pacific, is carrying on the work initially conducted by Warren Langman and promotes bodybuilding and fitness throughout the South Pacific.
Aquiles de Cesare, Vice President for South America, is an extremely valuable asset in an important part of the world that is witnessing rapid growth in bodybuilding and fitness.
Paul Graham, Vice President for Oceania, has ably served the IFBB for many years throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Dr. Bob Goldman, Prof. Dr. Friedhelm Beuker and Prof. Dr. Eduardo H. de Rose continue to lend their expertise on the Medical Commission and to advise the IFBB and National Federations on matters of doping control.
Stephen Stern, Rick Collins and Loh Lin Kok form the IFBB legal team and are always available to advise, guide, and protect the IFBB in all legal matters.
Eva Sukupova, Chairwoman of the Women’s Committee, is a welcome new addition to the Executive Council; an ex- world-class amateur and professional athlete.
US Air Force Master Sergeant Rob Wilkins, Special Assistant to the IFBB, is a troubleshooter and does a lot of public relations work on behalf of the IFBB.
Thank you to our Patrons, longtime supporters of the IFBB – Kim Nam Hak, Mostafa Hefzi, Franco Fassi, and Hitoshi Tamari.
My brother Joe stood by my side 60 years ago, backstage at the Theatre Monument National in Montreal where together, as one voice, we made the decision to form the International Federation of Bodybuilders. Joe has stood by my side each and every day for the past 60 years; lending his invaluable support to the IFBB by spreading the word of its activities through his magazines; by creating an IFBB professional division, by creating the Mr. Olympia in 1965, and much, much more. Without Joe, bodybuilding and fitness … and the IFBB … wouldn’t enjoy the immense worldwide popularity that it does today.
I would now like to speak about a subject that is, and always will be, close to my heart.
My greatest wish as I retire is that none of you ever forgets that the International Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness is not just another international sport federation. We stand alone, apart from all others, because we are family. And in our family, we do not allow race, religion, politics or culture to divide us. In our family, we respect each other, celebrate our differences, and pride ourselves on never allowing race, religion, politics or culture to drive a wedge between any of our members. This belief … indeed this creed is at the very heart and soul of our family. It is the essence of who we are. Because this philosophical foundation is so solidly embedded in our psyche, we have been and continue to be one of the strongest sport federations in the world.
Do not allow politicians, newspapers, radio or television to divert your attention from the brotherhood and respect that we have for each other for it is our greatest strength. I have always said that the United Nations exists to solve political problems and sport federations exist to solve sport problems. I hope and trust that our family will continue in unity well into the future.
I regret that I cannot be with you at this International Electoral Congress; however, I know that it will be a tremendous success because of all of you. And, although I am not with you in person, I am with you in spirit.
I promise that I will continue to keep in touch with the National Federations and with any members who seek my counsel and guidance. I will work closely with all the members of the Executive Council and I will support the new President to the best of my abilities to assure that the IFBB continues to be the great federation and sport family that it is.
Thank you for your loyalty and support over the past 60 years.
With the greatest respect and warmest wishes, I remain,
Sincerely yours,
Ben Weider, C.M., C.Q., C.S.tJ, Ph.D.
IFBB President
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