1980 Mr. Olympia: Fair or fixed?

Was 1980 Mr. Olympia fixed? Did Arnold Schwarzenegger really win the Olympia that night? Were Frank Zane and Tom Platz better than Arnold that night? The 1980 Olympia raised so many questions and eye brows that night, which is still the most controversial Olympia till date. We take a look back at the history and what happened that Olympia night.

Arnold who had told everyone that he will be at the Mr. Olympia to do the commentary at the  show, decided to compete in the event. All the while people speculated that he was in competition shape and might compete, but no one was sure as Arnold brushed it off saying that he was getting in shape for the movie “Conan the Barbarian” .The contest was being held in Sydney, Australia, it was produced by Arnold’s good friend Paul Graham. The contest had some real tough competitors like Zane who was already the reigning Mr. Olympia from last year, there was Mike Mentzer, Tom Platz, and Chris Dickinson. Zane despite injury decided to compete in the show based on Arnold’s advice. Mentzer was in a great shape and hope to win the title; Tom Platz was looking to make an upset at that year Mr. Olympia by defeating last year’s winner Frank Zane.

All of these Top competitors had their own agenda based on previous years Mr. Olympia and had no clue Arnold would compete and that too at a stage where he had retired from the competitive bodybuilding after being the undisputed king of the sport for many years. I think what upset the most of the competitors, was that Arnold had it all 7 times Mr. Olympia, 5 times Mr. Universe and he had moved on to achieve bigger and better things like to make it in Hollywood. Why would Arnold; who had everything would come and take way what they wanted so badly. That created lot of resentment and to some degree it was fear that he would take way the title, this mixed feeling lit the light for the controversy which was in the making.

Some of the things which contributed to the 1980 Olympia controversy were:

Competitors felt Arnold should have register to compete a month before like the other bodybuilder rather than making a last minute entry to compete.

Mike Mentzer and Arnold had a fight which almost got physical and which left a bitter taste in mike’s life, resulting in his retirement from bodybuilding.

Most of the judges were friends or somehow associated with Arnold thus influenced the outcome of the contest.

IFBB bent the rules because it was Arnold.

Yes, the competition was controversial, Arnold didn't look nor had the great physique he had 5 or 6 years ago. Hey but still he is “Arnold” the Austrian Oak, he was cut and still big had the charisma and most importantly experience. Some of the people competing in that show idolized him so they never believed that they can beat him. I would say it was close between Arnold, Tom Platz and Zane, But Zane Looked lighter compared to the other two. Arnold was the tallest in the competition had a great chest, ripped abs and the show stealing arms. I do believe Arnold did win the competition and he did win it fair and square. Why he competed and took away what the other competitors wanted so badly, only Arnold could answer that question.  

Dwayne Johnson’s Hercules workout

Do you know what the Rock is cooking? The man, who is famous for this line, is also famous for his incredible body. I must say he built one of the best looking physiques for the Hercules movie role. Dwayne Johnson has always been in great shape and always been a great athlete.  But the way he transformed his body from WWE days to till date is truly remarkable. He had short time to prepare for this role and boy; he did put in lot of hard work to shape that herculean physique.

Rock is known for his awesome work ethic and is truly dedicated to his art be it football, wrestling or bodybuilding, movies are no exception. If one thing which drives him and has taken him places, it’s because of his passion and hard hard work. From rookie footballer to a wrestling super star and now an action hero in Hollywood he’s done it all. His four movies made $1.3 billion at box office in the year 2013 which made him the highest grossing movie star for the year 2013.

Here is how he achieved the herculean physique to do the 12 labors on screen. Rock dieted 22 weeks in preparation for this role, he worked out early morning 4 Am and always made sure he did his cardio and weight training before he went to sets. He worked out 45 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes ranging from lifting weights to cardio. He had to carefully monitor his diet and had to bulk up for the role while shedding fat. His diet was mostly Filet steak, two cups of rice, egg whites, mushrooms, baked potato and chicken in large quantity as he was bulking up.

The following was rock’s workout:

Arms:

Preacher curls with EZ bar curls 4 x 12 reps

Standing barbell curl with EZ bar curls 4 x 12 reps

Dumbbell curls 4 x 12 reps

Rope pushdown 4 x 12 reps

Rope overhead triceps 4 x 12 reps

Extensions 4 x 12 reps

Chest:

Inclined barbell bench press 4 x 12, 10, 8, 6 reps

Flat bench dumbbell press 4 x 12 reps

Inclined hammer strength press 4 x 12 reps

Flat bench dumbbell fly’s 3 x 12 reps

Cable crossover super-set with dips 3 x 15 reps

Back:

Pull ups 4 set to failure

One arm dumbbell row 4 x 12, 10, 8, 8 reps

Hammer strength two arm row 4 x 10 reps

Close grip pull downs 3 x 12 reps

Cable row 3 x 12 reps

Dumbbell shrugs 4 x 12 reps

Steroids or No Steroids is the Question!

I firstly would like to emphasize that I don’t promote steroid use or I am of an opinion that steroid use is absolutely OK in sports. Well whether we like it or not steroids were always involved in sports and always will be involved in the future too. Testosterone was first discovered and used during 1935 in World War II, to quicken the healing process in wounded soldiers. Steroid use in sports dates back to 1940s and testosterone was all over the place in sports. In 1952 Olympics the Russian weightlifting and wrestling team were dominant in the entire event which is supposedly due to testosterone use. By 1960s US started developing the higher end of steroids, which were anabolic steroids.

Steroids have always been there whether you like it or not, steroid use was taking off to new levels by 1970s. Most of the athletes were supposedly juicing as everyone wanted to have the edge and had to do what has to be done.  Now remember, at that point of time use of testosterone wasn’t illegal. Steroids gave a competitive edge for the athletes to win at the highest level as it aids one to over train and speeds up recuperation process. It allowed you to gain lot of strength in short period of time and perform and peak whenever required.

But the most important point I want to emphasize is that "steroids doesn't make you a champion, but champions take steroids”. What I mean by that statement is that anyone taking steroids doesn't become a champion. One needs to be very good at the sport he or she is into. It can be genetics for power lifting, bodybuilding and the techniques needed to excel in their individual sport. People who are already very good at their sport take steroids and get the little extra edge and become champion. Any tom, dick and harry doesn't get a Mr. Olympia physique by taking steroids or become Lee Haney, Kai Greene, tiger woods’ or a Barry bonds. So people on steroids have to have the goods to compete at the highest level and work there butt off to achieve things. Yes steroids do provide them with abilities like quick recuperation from over training and gives great strength to perform and over train. But how sure are we that who is using steroids and who is not? Who is playing it by the rule and who is not?