History of the Mr. Olympia
1996 In 1996, after a three-year tenure, the Olympia left Atlanta and moved to Chicago . In the Windy City, Yates, more streamlined that we’ve ever seen him, cruised to victory, closely followed by Shawn Ray and Kevin Levrone. It was the Brit’s fifth victory, and, as in 1994, doubts about his invincibility began to surface.
1997 In 1997, the Mr. Olympia road show arrived in Long Beach to celebrate the 33rd rendition of bodybuilding’s ultimate contest. Total prize money was $285,000, first place was worth $110,000, and the bodybuilders are recognized as professional athletes in the truest sense of the world. Dorian Yates was now going for six Olympia titles in a row. Could he make it six in a row? Would he make a run at Haney’s record of eight in a row? It was a hard fought contest. Nasser El Sonbaty came in at his best condition to date and pushed Dorian hard, but in the end, once again, in a very close race, Dorian succeeded for the sixth time as Mr. Olympia. Some felt that Nasser was better, and had been cheated out of a victory! With Dorian announcing moments after winning the contest that he would be back to get a seventh title in 1998, it set up an interesting confrontation. What most people did not know is that Dorian had suffered a torn triceps a few months before the show, and had said nothing about it and competed.
1998 1998 now arrived, and Dorian had decided, after he had surgery to repair the torn triceps, that, due to lingering injuries, not to compete in this year’s Mr. Olympia in New York and to retire. With the great Yates done, that meant a new Mr. Olympia would be crowned in New York on October 10, 1998 . This would be one exciting show, with a guaranteed new winner! The Mr. Olympia contest, which only Joe Weider had the imagination to create, is now firmly established as bodybuilding’s show of shows. From intense competition, Ronnie Coleman came from out of nowhere for a dramatic win. With Flex Wheeler and Ronnie Coleman competing for the top prize, a new king was elected. Ronnie Coleman, with his massive back and freaky posture, became the latest Mr. Olympia. His fellow competitors sportingly congratulated the cop from Texas on his narrow victory, but privately they knew they had blown an opportunity to go down in history. Afterward, debate raged whether Coleman’s victory was a one time affair, or the beginning of a new Mr. O dynasty. Not since Samir Bannout in 1983 had there been a one year Mr. Olympia. Haney has won eight in a row, Yates six. Would Coleman flash and fizzle or solidify his grip on power?
1999 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA: The answer came in Las Vegas, at the ornate Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas strip on October 23, 1999 . The venue itself was completely sold out! There, 17 warriors took the stage, with Coleman and Flex Wheeler locked in a close battle. Wheeler had done his homework, but the reigning Mr. Olympia would leave no doubters this night. Chris Cormier placed 3rd, with his best physique ever at this show, and when Ronnie was called the winner; Flex turned his back on the judges, and lifted his finger saying he was #1. But Ronnie proved to the world that he is the Mr. Olympia king! Ronnie Coleman was even bigger than he had been the previous year, and his sparkling condition held throughout. He won his second consecutive title.
2000 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA: On October 21, 2000, the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino again played host as Coleman took another step toward placing his name among the greatest of them all by winning his 3rd consecutive Mr. Olympia. Challenges came from Flex Wheeler and Kevin Levrone, but incredibly, Ronnie was even bigger then he was in the past Mr. Olympia. Ronnie was untouchable.
2001 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA: On October 27, 2001, Jay Cutler came from out of nowhere to capture the first two rounds of the Mr. Olympia, and gave Ronnie Coleman one of his biggest scares of his life, and one of the most exciting Olympia ’s ever! During the evening show, Ronnie Coleman won both rounds, and beat Jay Cutler by an extremely close score, by six points. With some fans swearing that Jay should have won the show, and a press conference two days before that was one of the most exciting in years, it was an incredible year!
2002 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA: On October 19, 2002, Ronnie Coleman won the show, but controversy erupted again as Kevin Levrone won both the evening rounds, while Gunter Schlierkamp came from out of nowhere to become one of the crowd favorites of the night. Another exciting contest. Ronnie prevailed … but just barely.
What set this Olympia apart from most others in recent history was the spectator response to German gentle-giant Gunter Schlierkamp. Gunter had captured the hearts and minds of the Mr. Olympia audience and seemed on the verge of capturing the title itself as the Champ appeared vulnerable against a much bigger and harder competitor. Gunter had never looked better and he seemed to have unlocked the secret to finally realizing his incredible potential. Rarely has a competitor received so much love from an audience as Gunter did the evening of October 19th, 2002, with an unprecedented standing ovation from an incredibly appreciative audience.
2003 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA: On October 25, 2003, there was no doubt that Ronnie Coleman was the clear-cut winner. He looked inhuman. He looked awesome. Three months before the Olympia, the talk was that this Olympia would be the greatest ever, with Gunter Schlierkamp, Chris Cormier and Jay Cutler having a good chance of taking away the title from Ronnie. It didn’t happen. A few days before the big show, Chris Cormier pulled out and Gunter faded into 5th place. The night was Ronnie’s. Whatever doubt people had was dispelled as soon as Ronnie hit the stage. He was in his best shape ever, at 39 years old.
2004 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA: The headlines read "King Ronnie crowned by the Governator!" On October 30, 2004, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger walked onto the Olympia stage holding the Sandow trophy and presented it to Ronnie Coleman for tying his record of 7 wins. Ronnie Coleman looked dominant and inspiring; a solid 1st-place across the board. Like last year, he was unbeatable. Second went to Jay Cutler, and third went to Gustavo Badell.
