Dan Solomon - Fitness Olympia Judging: A Closer Look!

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I have received quite a bit of email from fans questioning the judging at the 2003 Fitness Olympia held on October 24th in Las Vegas. Find out what I think about the judging and much more...

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/dan15.htm

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Dan,

Thank you SO much for addressing this issue. It's not only evident at the Olympia. I saw the same thing happen at all three local/regional NPC shows that I competed in this year. At my last show, even, I talked to one of the judges about how she scored the physiques, and she actually told me she wasn't sure what to look for and had to ask one of the other judges before the show started!!! And these people are "certified" judges??!! Just had to get that off my chest! Hopefully, someone will read your article and maybe take action.

I've been reading with some concern what's been taking place for what I had hoped might be cleaned up years ago with the Mickey Mouse world of Joe Weider and his control of the body building world. Now I'm watching, listening and seeing how what now appears to be Jim Manion (or Jr.) pulling the same routine with the "Fitness" competitions. Surely by now with all the work that goes into such preparation by these young women in the Fitness category, it's not too difficult to judge the varied levels of talent. For a sport that's trying to be recognized as a true "sport" then greater credability must be brought to the leadership as well as those chosen to judge such events. I will agree that it takes a refined, skilled eye to differentiate between the swim suit categories. These girls, ALL - are extremely well prepared and to judge accurately could be seen to be a tough call. HOWEVER, when it comes to the area of FITNESS, to which this particular competition has been so classified, then since her arrival on the scene, Kelly Ryan has DOMINATED in this area with little debate. Kelly's physique, always in top form, has improved each competition, each year to the point that for her to not have several Olympia titles by now should be an embarrassment to the NPC leadership and their judges. To be truly a professional sport or to be at some point recognized as such, then soon, very soon I hope that such events will be so handled and judged - PROFESSIONALLY - and not with any degree of self gain or bias!