Chris Dickerson Receives "Ben Weider
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD”
By Dan Solomon and Rob Wilkins
*Photographs courtesy of Ron Avidan
Championships with, from left to right, Dan Solomon, Tim Gardner, Rob Wilkins, and Bob Cicherillo.
On Saturday, August 9, 2008, bodybuilding fans gathered in Tampa, Florida for the inaugural IFBB “Pro Bodybuilding Weekly Championships,” where the "Ben Weider Lifetime Achievement Award" was presented at the Tampa Center for the Performing Arts.
This award is named after the iconic IFBB co-founder and Honorary Life President, Ben Weider, who has championed the benefits of a bodybuilding lifestyle for over sixty years. It was created to recognize an individual who has committed themselves to the advancement, promotion and lifestyle of the sport of bodybuilding.
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| On behalf of Ben Weider, Rob Wilkins presents Chris Dickerson with the "Ben Weider Lifetime Achievement Award". |
The inaugural award was presented to former Mr. Olympia champion Chris Dickerson who received a standing ovation from the enthusiastic crowd. As the first African-American to be crowned Mr. America and the first African-American to appear on the cover of FLEX magazine, Dickerson remains one of the sport’s most celebrated figures.
“For over thirty years, Chris has been one of our most respected and admired champions,” said Weider. “As a bodybuilding trail-blazer and pioneer, he has helped eliminate negative stereotypes and served as a role model to generations of bodybuilders. A true professional, it brings me great pleasure to recognize Chris as the the first recipient of this award,” commented Weider.
As part of an emotional presentation, “Pro Bodybuilding Weekly” founder Dan Solomon read the award citation. During the presentation, the large video monitor above the stage showed the posing routine that Dickerson performed at the 1982 Mr. Olympia contest in London, England.
Joining Solomon on stage was the Executive Assistant to the President, Rob Wilkins, who presented Dickerson with the bronze Eagle Sculpture on behalf of Weider.
“It was such an honor to have the great Chris Dickerson stand on our stage to accept this award,” explained the event’s promoter Tim Gardner. “Chris is one of bodybuilding’s classiest champions and he deserves this great honor”.
“The Ben Weider Lifetime Achievement Award is just our way of recognizing this exceptional bodybuilding legend and on behalf of the entire IFBB family, we congratulate this remarkable individual and wish him many more years of success!,” Weider said.
6 Comments to “Ben Weider LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD to Chris Dickerson”
WOW! fIRST THE INCREDIBLE HONOR AND AWARD, AND NOW THIS WIDE SPREAD PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OVER THE INTERNET! Thank you seems inadequate.
By ChrisDickerson on Aug 19, 2008 at 8:34 am
What a honor…I am so proud of you being the first recipient of this award. So richly deserved!! Kudos and much love,
Melrose Sprague
By Melrose Sprague on Aug 22, 2008 at 9:07 am
I am so proud of my cousin Chris. He is not just an outstanding bodybuilder, he is also an outstanding person. The bodybuilding world and all of mankind is a better place because of the life and times of my cousin Chris Dickerson.
Love Always,Cousin Willola
By Willola Ashley on Aug 22, 2008 at 10:19 am
Chris Dickerson is a bodybuiling icon. I wish him much successs and would like to meet him one day. Thank you, An Atlanta Fan;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
By William on Sep 8, 2008 at 1:07 pm
LOVE me some Chris Dickerson!!! He’s a truly inspiring man! been a fan for many years, he was the perfect choice for this award. Hope to get to meet him one day.
marc n charlotte
By Marc Smith on Sep 16, 2008 at 8:57 am
simon from australia always admired talent and greatness,chris is all that..im now 47 and loved him when i was 17..
By simon on Nov 1, 2008 at 9:47 pm