Reprinted with the kind permission of e-body code, November 2006
     
 

    Rafael Santonja was elected new IFBB President in the past
International Congress held past October at Ostrava, Czech Republic, taking over this position from the hands of Ben Weider, founder and very successful president.
    He has been during the last 25 years the IFBB Executive Assistant and right hand of President Weider working with him in a daily basis.
 

    In 1981, Rafael Santonja was elected President of the young Spanish Bodybuilding Federation. At that time, bodybuilding in Spain was at its beginnings. The first national championship was in fact, organized in 1969, with a small group of gym owners, officials and athletes.
    After his election in 1981, Rafael became very active as well in the international areas, under the direct guidance of BenWeider. In 1985, he became Executive Assistant to President Weider, a position that gave Rafael the privilege to work in a daily basis with him.
    Now, in the 25th anniversary of Rafael’s executive activities in our sport, we are pleased to make this brief pictorial report with some highlights of his record of services in our sport.
 
 

1982 – Visit to Montreal
Greeting President Weider at IFBB Headquarters office in Canada, a smiling Rafael Santonja presenting his respect to IFBB President, in his first official visit as President of the Spanish Bodybuilding Federation. In 1982, Spain started its already long tradition in organizing international sport events, being the host country for the first World Junior & Master IFBB Championship in Torremolinos, Malaga.
 
 
 

1981 – Coming from the gym
Still very active at gym, we can see Rafael Santonja flanqued by two world champions, Steve Sabane and Salvador Ruiz in an intermission on a daily workout. Very few months after this picture, in September 1981, Rafael was elected President of the Spanish Bodybuilding Federation. The first action he adopted was bringing back this federation under the discipline of IFBB.
 
 

1983 – Joe and Betty Weider
Joe and Betty Weider visited Spain. The picture was taken with occasion of the first edition of the World Mixed Pairs Championship, organized that year by the Spanish Bodybuilding Federation in Madrid.

 
 

1984 – With IOC Vice President
Rafael with IOC Vice President Mr Silvio Magallhaes joined by Dr Laercio Martínez during Rafael’s visit to the Brazilian Olympic Committee. In this year was kept the consistent working schedule to bring international events to Spain, the Spanish Bodybuilding Federation organized the first edition of the Mediterranean Championship. After three years (1982-1984), the Spanish Federation became a trustable country as organizer of international championships.
     
     
 

 

1985 – With Joe Weider and Mayor of Madrid H.E. Enrique Tierno Galván
Opening ceremony of the European Men and Women Bodybuilding Championship. We can see Joe Weider with Rafael Santonja flanquing the Mayor of Madrid Enrique Tierno Galvan at the opening ceremony of the championship.
In 1985 International Congress at Goteburg, Sweden, Rafael was appointed by President Weider as his Executive Assistant.

 
 

1986 – With IOC executive member Carlos Ferrer
With President Weider in a meeting held at the Olympic office with late Carlos Ferrer Salat, very prestigious IOC member and close friend of IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch.
During 1986, Rafael continued as well with a very active travelling schedule in South and Central America to improve the coordination in the federation of these areas with IFBB and consolidated relationships with Olympic Committees and IOC members.

 
 

1987 – With President Samaranch
President Ben Weider with Rafael Santonja meeting President Samaranch in Lausanne. Following with the tradition of international events organized in Spain, in 1987, the World Championship was held in Madrid with a record attendance, by that time, of 63 countries. The event was held at the five stars hotel Melia Castilla in Madrid and the venue site was the Sport Palace with over 7.000 enthusiastic fans following the finals.
 
 
 
1988 – Visit to Moscow
Since 1985, Rafael was able to join President Weider in many meaningful historical trips for our sport. In 1988, he had the opportunity to join President Weider in a visit to Russia where they met sport government and olympic authorities having as consequence the recognition of bodybuilding in the Soviet Union. In the picture, we can see President Weider with Rafael Santonja joined by Soviet Union Bodybuilding Federation officials, in the Red Square; amongst them we can see a young Vladimir Dubinin starting at that time his successful career as federation official.
In 1988 there were other many interesting trips with President Ben Weider amongst them, the most significant was the participation in the Pan American Assembly in Puerto Rico, a very helpful meeting to establish solid links with olympic leaders in America.
 

 

1989 – With President of Argentinean Republic H.E. Carlos Menem
Rafael Santonja, at the office of Argentinean Republic President H.E. Carlos Menem, presenting him the IFBB Distinguished Service Award.
This year, as well, brought a trip of President Weider with Rafael Santonja to Hungary with the achievement of the full recognition for our sport in this country.
 

 

1990 – With Portugal Prime Minister H.E. Anibal Cavaco Da Silva
Bodybuilding took officially part for first time in the Central American Games of the Olympic Program. Rafael was keeping his usual schedule of frequent travels for IFBB visiting countries and authorities in the five continents.
In the picture, we can see him in a meeting at the Presidency House in Portugal with the Portuguese Prime Minister H.E. Cavaco Da Silva.
     
     
 

 

1991 – With President of Uruguayan Government H.E. Julio Sanguineti
President of the Uruguayan Government, Julio Sanguineti in a relaxed talking time with IOC member Julio Maglione and Rafael Santonja.
This year brought as well, a meaningful moment for Rafael Santonja receiving the Medal of the City of Casablanca from the hands of Casablanca Governor as well as the key of Ambato, Ecuador, after a memorable Ibero American Championship held in that city located in the middle of the Andes Mountain.
 
 

1992 – With President Weider and Egyptian Council of Sport
In a visit to Egypt with President Ben Weider, we can see from left to right: the actual IFBB Vice President for Africa, Adel Fahim el Sayed with Minister of Sport Dr Abdel Monien Emara. This trip of President Weider to Middle East and North Africa was very important in several areas, but, without any doubt, the most fruitful result of this visit was the meeting with Adel Fahim El Sayed, who very soon became a key member in IFBB Executive Council.
 
 

1993 – With H.E. Alexander Krasnieski Prime Minister of Poland
Rafael, in a visit to Poland, working in the preparation of next coming international events met Prime Minister Alexander Krasnieski, in the picture with the former President of the Polish Bodybuilding Federation Mr Boroky.
This year, amongst other interesting meetings, Rafael met IOC Vice President Pal Smith. As well, he visited Lausanne, joining President Weider in the already traditional annual meetings established with President Juan Antonio Samaranch who, from the beginning of the approach with IFBB, welcome with the greatest sympathy President Weider and Rafael Santonja.
 
 

1994 – With H. M. King Juan Carlos I of Spain
The sport activities in Spain became at that time very popular and got the best acceptance by authorities.
This year as well, bodybuilding was accepted in the South American Games, taking part in this multidisciplinary activity of the Olympic Program, organized every four years by the South American Olympic Committee having as venue site in 1994 the city of Valencia in Venezuela.
A trip with President Weider to Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt and other Middle East countries was very instrumental to improve the prestige and support of national authorities in those countries to our sport.
 
 
 

1995 – With President of Guatemala Government H.E. Álvaro Irigoyen
With the smiling presence of Pan American Olympic Organisation President Lic. Mario Vázquez Raña, one of the most influential world leaders in sport and long term IFBB friend, Rafael greeted President of Guatemala Government H.E. Álvaro Irigoyen.
Guatemala, like most of the Central American countries got the effective support for our federation from his national government.

 
 

1996 – With Spanish President of Government H.E. Jose María Aznar
Rafael Santonja met for the first time President Aznar, establishing a respectful close relation that has remained active through the years.
This year was the 50th anniversary of IFBB and President Weider delegated in Rafael to chair the IFBB World Championship and Congress. Rafael joined as well the International Olympic Committee at his international assembly in Guatemala. The World Anti Aging Congress in cooperation with Dr Bob Goldman was organized in Madrid at Melia Hotel with the attendance of Minister of Education and other national authorities.

 
 

1997 – With. Slovakian Prime Minister H.E Vladimir Mechiar
This year, Slovakia, a young country but with an already very consistent federation affiliated to IFBB, handled the World Women Championship with the greatest sport and organising success.
Rafael travelled as well to Winipeg, participating in the IOC Assembly, joined President Weider at the World Games in Lathi in which President Samaranch attended the bodybuilding finals; got the medal of the Comenious University in Bratislava and attended the participation of bodybuilding in the Central American Games held at Honduras.

 
 

1998 – With H.E. Ilham Aliev, President of Azerbaijan Government
H.E. Ilham Aliev, before his high duties governing the nation, was President of the Azerbaijan Olympic Committee, always showing a great sensitivity for our sport. Baku, in Azerbaijan will be the venue site for the next coming 2007 European Men Championship and Congress, another opportunity for Rafael Santonja to present the respect of IFBB to President Ilham Aliev.
The establishment of a consistent cooperation with the International Association of Sport Press Journalists, started during the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996, conducted to the creation of a committee to follow up bodybuilding activities.
     
     
 

 

1999 – With President Ben Weider and President of the Palestinian authorities Yassir Arafat
In Gaza, at Palestinian authorities Headquarters was conducted a meeting with President Yassir Arafat.
Another activities that year included: Trip to Johannesburg participating in the African Games. Participation in the Sport World Congress at Punta del Este in Uruguay. Trip to Cairo with President Weider.  Participation in the International Olympic Committee Assembly in Rio de Janeiro.  Meeting with H. H. Prince Faisal of Jordan. Lecture at the Olympic Solidarity Seminar in Aruba.

 
 

2000 – European Championship in Lausanne
At Lausanne, with occasion of the European Men Championship, joined by H.E. Juan Antonio Samaranch IOC President.
An historical date for IFBB and a meaningful journey for President Weider and Rafael Santonja having the opportunity to welcome President Samaranch at one of our major events held at the olympic city of Lausanne.
With the participation at IOC Congress, first establishment of business schedule to settle the European Federation, visited with Ben Weider to Jordan.

 
 

2001 – With H.H. Prince Faisal of Jordan
Rafael joined President Weider in a visit to Prince Faisal of Jordan, followed by a complete visit to Middle East countries.
Participation at the Moscow International Olympic Committee electoral Assembly. Participation at the Bolivarian Games of the Olympic Program. Pan American Congress in Santo Domingo preparing the IFBB participation at the 2003 Pan American Games.
 
 

2002 – EBFF first Executive Council elected at Minsk
This year was founded the European Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation in Minsk, Byelorussia that, in the last four years, became a very active and successful organization in the IFBB.
Trip to Lausanne with President Weider to meet President Rogge at IOC Headquarters.
Participation in the Pan American Olympic Assembly in Mexico.
 
 
 

2003 – With H.E. Lucio Gutierrez President of Ecuatorian Government
With President of Ecuadorian Government H.E. Lucio Gutierrez, joined by Angel Coba and Juan Paredes President of the Ecuadorian Federation.
Others activities included: Participation at the Pan American Games in Santo Domingo. Meeting with President Rogge. Agreement with Eurovision for the television satellite retransmission of our major events. Participation at IOC Meeting in Madrid and GAISF Assembly in Portugal. First of the successful series of World Women Championships in Santa Susana.
 
 

2004 – Greeting President Rogge at IOC Meeting
At the Olympic Meeting with IOC members Lic. Mario Vázquez Raña (ACNO President) and Dr. Julio Maglione and Games in Athens.
GAISF Meeting at Colorado Spring.
Anti Aging Congress in Las Vegas, reinforcing the cooperation program with Dr Bob Goldman and this successful scientific organisation.
 
 

2005 – IOC Meeting in Berlin
Attending at the International Olympic Committee Meeting in Berlin with President of World Games Ron Froelich and President of the German Olympic Committee.
Visit to Kuwait and Syria, amongst over thirty international trips.
Pan American Olympic Meeting.

 
 

2006 – Trust
Rafael Santonja proudly smiling between IFBB President Ben Weider and his brother, founder of Mr Olympia and father of modern bodybuilding Master, Joe Weider.
Other highlights of this year include:
GAISF and World Games conference in Seoul. International Anti Aging Conference in Madrid. Meeting with Honorary Life IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch.