Franco Fassi, President of the Italian Bodybuilding Federation, and Ben Weider, IFBB President, at the Opening Ceremony of the 1974 IFBB "Mr. Universe"

At 9:00am, October 4, 1974, Verona, Italy, Franco Fassi, President of the Italian Bodybuilding Federation, opened the Congress by welcoming the competitors and delegates from 31 countries.

The countries present were:

THE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

President Ben Weider replied, "I wish to thank Mr. Fassi for his welcome and all the officials of his federation for their work in ensuring the success of this congress and the championships. This is an historic congress because it is now four years since our first constitution was approved in Belgrade. This year our constitution will be changed by means of the propositions from the various countries. It is also historic because of our elections. Some of the candidates who are not elected will naturally be disappointed but with the election of new members to our Executive we shall renew our strength. We shall continue working towards our goal which remains Olympic recognition.

The beautiful thing about this congress is that in spite of all the trouble and strife in the world at the present time, we are able to meet here as sporting brothers. If the politicians would only leave politics to the sportsmen, perhaps we would have less trouble in the world.

I thank all delegates for coming here in such large numbers and would like to greet especially Mr. Knepper and his committee delegates who will be running the European championships in Luxembourg on the 26th October. I ask all the European countries to attend and to support him.

I greet the Filipino delegation who have just organized the Asian Championships in Manila. 8,000 spectators saw the contest and 10 nations were represented. We congratulate you for a fantastic success and for having brought bodybuilding in Asia to a new high.

In 1976 our world championships will be in Philadelphia, USA. I have here a letter from Mr. Gerald Ford, President of the United States, which I would like to read to you:

This shows you the interest in our sport from the highest authority in the country.

I am still pressing the IOC for recognition and have here a letter from Dr. A. Csanadi, chairman of the IOC Programme Commission acknowledging the work of the I.F.B.B. In the letter, Dr. Csanadi states in part, ‘I was glad to see you in Lucerne, where I could be convinced about your great activity again, aimed at the propogation of your sport. Thank you for the repeated information, and wishing you further sucess.‘

The report of our medical committee on anabolic steroids has created interest throughout the world of sport and I have received a letter from the Director General of the International Health Foundation in Geneva asking for a copy of our report. This means that our work is recognized as contributing not only to sport but also to world health.

Another letter from Madame Berlioux, the Director of the IOC, states that the evolution of the IFBB is of particular interest to their technical department.

Mr. Don Porter, Secretary General of the International Softball Federation wrote a letter which contains a very important proposal for World Games. This would be the international federations who have been denied Olympic recognition and he will welcome the participation of the IFBB.

I have had several letters containing applications for membership with the IFBB. The People’s Republic of China has asked us not to recognize Taiwan. They want observer status and will affiliate once they have formed a national bodybuilding federation. The National Olympic Committee of Afghanistan which has joined a few sports federations has now applied to the IFBB. Mozambique has approached us even before they have achieved their independence. Finally a letter from the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa that they are supporting the formation of an African Federation. I quote these letters to you to impress upon you our progress which continues from year to year.

I wish finally to thank the Italian Federation for having supplied simultaneous translations in English, French and Italian."

AFFILIATION OF NEW NATIONAL FEDERATIONS

The Executive Council recommended the acceptance of Australia, St. Vincent, Afghanistan and Guyana, with Mozambique having special status until they become fully independent. These were all approved by the Congress.

IFBB President Ben Weider addressing the delegates at the 5th IFBB International Congress. From left to right, Franco Fassi (Italy), Marc Hankard (Belgium), Ch. Mohammad Amin (Pakistan), Oscar State (England), Ben Weider (Canada), Malih Alaywan (Lebanon), Serge Nubret (France), Dennis Stallard (Wales), John Ong (Singapore)

DECISIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

President Weider presented for the approval of the Congress the important decisions of the Executive Council made at their meeting on the 3rd October.

A new Judges Guide Book was drafted by the Judges Committee and distributed to all National Federations. The rules in this Guide Book are mandatory for all IFBB contests. Judge’s examination papers are being prepared and, in future, all international judges must pass a test before an IFBB International Judging Card will be issued. President Weider and Oscar State submitted several pages of amendments to the first Constitution with the object of improving and clarifying the statutes and rules. The most important amendment was the new definitiion of the term "amateur"; the same definition that would be adopted by the International Olympic Committee three weeks later in Vienna.

President Ben Weider making a point during the Executive Council meeting. Left to right are Alexander Carali (Canada), former General Secretary, and Malih Alaywan (Lebanon), Vice President for the Middle East

ELECTIONS

Ben Weider was re-elected President and advised the Congress that he had decided not to accept Life Presidency but to stand for election like all other officials. Winston Roberts (Canada) was elected General Secretary. Andre Begin (Canada) was elected Assistant General Secretary. The following Vice President were elected: Europe – Serge Nubret (France), Caribbean – Victor Copra (Netherlands-Antilles), South America – Dr. L. Martinez (Brazil), North America – Tom Minichiello (USA), Africa – Mohamed El Guindi (Egypt), Middle East - Malih Alaywan (Lebanon), Asia – John Ong (Singapore), Senior Vice President – Serge Nubret.

Chairman, Judges Committee – Dennis Stallard (Wales)
Secretary, Judges Committee - Oscar State (England)
Chairman, Technical Committee – Milan Cabric (Yugoslavia)
Secretary, Technical Committee – Mara Cabric (Yugoslavia)
Honorary President Medical Committee – Prof. G. La Cava (Italy)
Co-chairman, Medical Committee – Dr. Ernst Jokl (USA)
Co-chairman/Secretary Medical Committee – Dr. Larry Golding (USA)
Legal Advisor – M. Cantin (Canada)
Treasurer – A. Bismuth (Canada)
Auditor – H. Eisenberg (Canada)

President Weider closed the congress by thanking all delegates for their useful contributions to the discussions, the interpreters for their great assistance, the Executive Council for their work during the past four years and all members of the Committee of the Italian federation and Contest Organizing Committee for their wonderful organization of the congress and contest. The meeting closed at 6:30pm.

THE IFBB "MR. UNIVERSE" RESULTS

TOP 6 FINALISTS SHORT CLASS	TOP 6 FINALISTS MEDIUM CLASS	TOP 6 FINALISTS TALL CLASS
1. P. van den Steen (Belgium) 2. M. El Makkawy (Egypt) 3. R. Bertagna (Italy) 4. H. Plumanns (Belgium) 5. S. Sarabi (Iran) 6. R. Koivunen (Finland)	1. A. Enunlu (Turkey) 2. B. Birdsong (USA) 3. L. Cesarion (France) 4. J. Rudman (Sweden) 5. S. Jacobs (Belgium) 6. D. Bailey (Wales)	1. L. Ferrigno (USA) *OVERALL "MR. UNIVERSE" 2. K. Waller (USA) 3. P. Grant (Wales) 4. R. Walker (Australia) 5. M. K. Gokcen (Turkey) 6. U. Prink (Germany)