Dr. Rafael Santonja
Traveling the World Promoting Bodybuilding

By Rob Wilkins
Special Assistant to the IFBB

Dr. Rafael Santonja, Executive Assistant to International Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness (IFBB) President Ben Weider and President of the European Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (EBFF), continues his global travels as he promotes the interests of the IFBB and the positive benefits of a bodybuilding lifestyle along with leading International Olympic Committee (IOC) Officials.

During a recent conference in Spain, Santonja met with His Excellency the Marques Juan Antonio Samaranch, the IOC President for Life. One of the world’s most influential sports officials, Samaranch was a member of the IOC for 35 years serving as president from 1980 to 2001. In his mid-eighties, Samaranch maintains the work ethic of a man half his age and continues to exercise regularly.

Dr. Rafael Santonja, IFBB Executive Assistant to President Weider, and longtime friend and countryman Juan Antonio Samaranch, IOC Lifetime President

Santonja also met with one of the worlds most powerful and respected Olympic leaders, Mario Vázquez Raña . Raña has a long and distinguished record as a sports administrator. He has served as the president of the Mexican Olympic Committee since 1974, head of the Pan American Sports Organization since 1975 and president of the Association of National Olympic Committees since 1979.

Born in Mexico in 1932, Mario Vázquez Raña joined the IOC in 1991. In addition to being an IOC Executive Member, Raña is also President of the IOC Solidarity Commission.

Dr. Rafael Santonja, IFBB Executive Assistant to President Weider, with another longtime friend Mario Vázquez Raña, IOC Member, President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), and President of the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO)

“Our sport continues to expand and excel thanks, in part, to the outstanding efforts of IFBB officials like Santonja,” said IFBB President Ben Weider. “For nearly 30 years, Rafael has traveled internationally making friends and introducing the world to the great sport of bodybuilding. His efforts have made a dramatic impact on the IFBB and I sincerely appreciate his hard work,” said Weider.

Rob Wilkins is a Master Sergeant in the US Air Force stationed at the Pentagon Washington, DC, Wilkins is also a Special Assistant to the International Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness (IFBB) and a recipient of the IFBB Gold Medal. To contact Wilkins e-mail him at robifbb@yahoo.com