MINUTES
Of the Annual Meeting of the IFBB Professional League
Thursday, September 25, 2008, 4:00pm, Salon B, Orleans Hotel
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

The roll call was taken; the following individuals were present:

Jim Manion invited Robin Chang, VP AMI Events and Olympia Coordinator, to present a brief report on the 2008 Olympia Weekend. Robin advised that $737,000 was being awarded as prize money at this year’s Olympia. Jim stated that the total prize money awarded this year at men’s events was $1,173,000 and at women’s events, $468,000. 

Jim also mentioned that IFBBPRO.com, which was launched in September 2007, was growing rapidly and now reached out to over 170 countries each month.

Be it resolved that, for Men’s and Women’s Bodybuilding, the scoring of Round 3 is eliminated.

Amendment: 
The scoring of Round 3 will continue throughout 2009; however, only the top 10 finalists will be judged.

Be it resolved that, for Men’s and Women’s Bodybuilding, the maximum time allowable to complete the individual mandatory poses [immediately prior to Round 1] is 60 seconds [instead of 90 seconds], with a 10-second warning.

Amendment: 
The mandatory poses will be called out by the Head Judge at the Olympia, the Arnold Classic and at any other event as decided by the Head Judge. Otherwise, the "60-second rule" will be used.

Be it resolved that the competition entry deadline be reduced to 4 weeks [instead of 6 weeks]; that deadlines may be extended by the IFBB Pro League as warranted.

Amendment: 
The deadline will be reduced to three (3) weeks, with a late fee of US $200. This deadline may be reviewed by the promoter, at his or her discretion, up to a week before the event.  No entry will be allowed after the Monday of the week of the event.

Be it resolved that, for the Ms. International, invitations are to be received by November 1st of each year and, in any case, no later than 12 weeks prior to the event.

Be it resolved that “some concession” [reduction] be made with respect to the sanction fee for women’s events so that promoters feel these events are financially viable.

Be it resolved that the posing routine be judged “in a split manner” e.g. physique and entertainment value.

Be it resolved that the Olympia Qualification rules be amended such that if any or all of the top finalists are already qualified, the number of competitors who will qualify shall always equal the number of designated qualifying spots.  For example, if the top 3 are already qualified, then the next 3 competitors will qualify.

Be it resolved that the rules regarding the individual mandatory poses, performed immediately prior to Round 1, be amended such that the poses [8 for men, 7 for women] are performed in correct sequence [see below] and that the poses are announced by the Head Judge.

• Front Double Biceps
• Front Lat Spread
• Side Chest [either side]
• Back Double Biceps
• Back Lat Spread
• Side Triceps [either side]
• Abdominals and Thighs
• Most Muscular [men only]

Be it resolved that, once a Figure competitor is qualified for the Figure Olympia, she is ineligible to compete in any other Pro Figure competitions for the remainder of that competitive season.

To discuss the rules regarding the correct stance for the quarter turns.

To discuss an increase of $25-$50 in the per diem for the Fitness/Figure International and Fitness/Figure Olympia.

To discuss adding more Fitness events to the schedule.

PROMOTER
DISCRETION

To discuss changing the 5 mandatory movements during the 45-second routine.  For example, a cartwheel, a one-arm hand stand, 4 alternating one-arm push ups, a plange hold, and a hold.

To discuss the proposition that there be no “top finalist” [top 3, top 5, top 6] qualifying spots for the Olympia; that instead, athletes shall qualify using a point system [top 15 to qualify].

To discuss a cut-off in the number of competitors allowed to compete in Pro Figure competitions.

To discuss promoters holding the Prejudging and Finals of women’s event on the same day to reduce expenses.

To discuss adjusting the contest schedule such that competition dates are closer together.

Effective 2009, the Promoter of the Olympia competitions will pay for the top 6 finalists from the Figure Olympia, the top 6 finalists from the Figure International, the top 3 finalists from the New York Pro Figure, and the winner* of all other Figure competitions.

*If the winner is already qualified, the Promoter will pay for 2nd place.  If 2nd place is already qualified, the Promoter will pay for 3rd place.

This does not affect the number of athletes who qualify for the Figure Olympia pursuant to IFBB Pro Rules 4.4 – 4.5.

Recorded by:

Jim Rockell
Men’s Representative
IFBB Pro League

Transcribed by:

Tony Blinn
General Secretary
IFBB Pro League

Approved by:

Jim Manion
Chairman
IFBB Pro League

Approved by:

Ben Weider, OC, CStJ, CQ, PhD
President
IFBB Pro League