The following 33 countries were present:

The Executive Council of the IFBB in session. From left to right, Prof. Ernst Jokl (USA), Prof. Lawrence Golding (USA), Dennis Stallard (Wales), Oscar State (England), Winston Roberts (Canada), Ben Weider, Abd El Hamid El Guindi (Egypt), Victor Copra (Netherlands-Antilles), Tom Minichiello (USA), Marc Hankard (Belgium)

THE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

1976 has been a very good year for bodybuilding and the IFBB. We affiliated several new nations, namely, Guatemala, New Zealand and Greece. We have also reorganized some national federations in order to strengthen them, and in general, made progress in all regions throughout the world.

Sport to me, has always been something more than just participating in a sports activity. Due to my numerous trips all over the world, I have come to the conclusion that sport is also a very vital social activity. It is meaningful and through sports, we can build a better world. However, sport is rapidly becoming an endangered species because of the influence of politics.

The Olympic Games in Montreal were almost ruined because of politics, and people that converged from the many nations, should have converged as friends and brothers, but actually departed as enemies. The IFBB is fulfilling its traditional role by preventing politics from infiltrating into our sport and this is the major reason why we have continued to grow and develop friendship and brotherhood amongst all members of our federation.

The Executive Council of the IFBB during the session of the International Congress. From left to right, Marc Hankard (Belgium), Dennis Stallard (Wales), Victor Copra (Netherlands-Antilles), Oscar State (England), Ben Weider, Syd Pukalo (Canada), Winston Roberts (Canada), Arnold Schwarzenegger (USA), Tom Minichiello (USA), Prof. Lawrence Golding (USA), Abd El Hamid El Guindi (Egypt)

I am happy to report a major breakthrough in our sport in the Soviet Union. Mr. Pavlov, Chairman of the "All Sports Committee of the USSR" has recently allowed the bodybuilders to affiliate to the "Federation of National Type Sports." This action accords official recognition to the bodybuilders of the USSR and it thus becomes a major breakthrough for the IFBB. More news on this subject will be published as it becomes available.

Lost in conversation amidst the activities of the Prejudging are Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ben Weider

Several major newspapers have stated that bodybuilding is the fastest growing sport in the world today. This has been brought about by the dedicated sports administrators of the IFBB throughout the world, and the cooperation of the world’s sports press and television. Mr. Neil S. Mallard, Vice-President of Visnews of London, England, the largest television news network in the world, reported that over 500 million people saw the IFBB bodybuilding championships from Pretoria, South Africa, last year.

I am equally pleased to report that our federation played host to the International Sports Press Writers Association in the city of Montreal recently. 109 international sports journalists from all over the world attended our dinner, and had a wonderful evening. Contacts of this nature broaden the understanding of bodybuilding, and increases our exposure throughout the world.

World famour physique photographer Jimmy Caruso discusses photography details with Joe Weider, Publisher of Muscle Builder magazine and Patron of the IFBB.

Bodybuilding continues to expand its horizons and will be one of the sports that will participate in the World Games which are slated to take place in Houston, Texas in 1978. In the meantime, the IFBB continues to work towards international olympic recognition. Only recently, we have received a request from the IOC to document our case with regards to the possible recognition in the future. I will keep all membrers informed of our progress.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Canadian Amateur Bodybuilding Federation, and its dedicated President, Mr. Syd Pukalo and General Secretary, Mr. Winston Roberts, as well as the organizing committee, for having staged this great international congress and world championships.

I would also like to thank His Worship Mayor Jean Drapeau, and the city of Montreal, for having co-operated so closely with us, and for having accorded us free use of the olympic facilities, and for having hosted the official dinner.

I also wish to thank Yoplait, the natural yogurt, the Royal Bank of Canada, and Vic Tanny’s Health Studios of Canada for supporting us financially. Without their support, this contest would not have been the great success it was.

Corporations of this nature are playing their role in the development of a healthy youth, by supporting the IFBB, and we are grateful to them.

I would like to take this occasion to wish you all a pleasant stay in Montreal, and I know that the renewal of our friendship through sport, is something that we all deeply cherish and will remember all our lives.

Ben and Joe Weider discussing some of the details at the Prejudging of the World Amateur Bodybuilding Championships. In the background, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Peter Fasching, president of the German Amateur Bodybuilding Federation.

DECISIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND CONGRESS

President Weider presented for the approval of the Congress the important decisions of the Executive Council:

With the resignation of John Ong (Singapore) as Vice President of Asia, Tom Ortega (Philippines) was approved by the Executive Council and elected with acclamation by the Congress to fill this vacancy. The Executive Council and Congress elected Paul Ramsay (Canada) to replace Andre Begin (Canada) in the position of Assistant General Secretary.

President Weider advised that organizers are prohibited from directly contacting athletes; that organizers must instead communicate with the National Federation.

Ben Weider, C.M., officially declaring the championships open. At left is Syd Pukalo, president of the Canadian Amateur Bodybuilding Federation, and at right is Father Marcel de la Sablonniere, Vice-President of the Canadian National Olympic Committe.

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE IFBB JUDGES COMMITTEE

The following bodyweight limits were recommended for all IFBB competitions:

It was recommended that a BANTAMWEIGHT category should be permitted at the Asian Championships and at any national championships if the National Federation wishes to include it. Bodybuilders shall weigh-in in posing trunks only.

At the end of the public presentation of each category, there shall be a pose-down between the top three finalists. It shall consist of the 6 compulsory poses, followed by free posing. After this, the final results will be announced and prizes awarded.

There will not be any overall title in amateur contests. Instead, there will be separate champions in each bodyweight category.

It was agreed that the "Weider Trophy" shall be presented to the most improved bodybuilder of the year.

THE IFBB WORLD AMATEUR BODYBUILDING CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS

The LIGHTWEIGHT category: In the center is the great Mohamed Makkawy (Egypt), cut up and developed to perfection. He was the winner by unanimous choice of all the judges. Left is the second-place winner, Danny Padilla (USA); right is the third-place winner, Adolf Zigner of Austria.

The MIDDLEWEIGHT category: First-place winner Robby Robinson (USA). At left is the second-place winner, also from the USa, Mike Mentzer. At right is the third-place winner, Ahmet Enunlu from Turkey.

The HEAVYWEIGHT category: Roger Walker of Australia (center) was proclaimed the winner of this category, followed very closely by second-place Darcy Beckles of Barbados (left). The third-place winner was Karl Kainrath from Austria (right).

Perhaps the man who surprised everybody the most was the dynamic and personable Mohamed Makkawy of Egypt. This champion was superbly developed to the ultimate and he gave an extraordinary posing demonstration. He won the affection and hearts of the audience. President Ben Weider, C.M., raises his hand in victory.