Reprinted in part from the July 1974 edition of MUSCLE BUILDER/POWER

IFBB Congress Precedes Championships – Great Organizational Progress Made

On October 19, 1973, in Geneva, Switzerland, the high-level International Congress began with Ben Weider at the gavel and Oscar State assisting. Every nation had two delegates and one vote. Of the many issues discussed, the most vital was the voting into IFBB membership of the Union of South Africa. This controversial nation has been barred from many international sports associations because of its racist policies. However, they sent black (Mr. Thabebe) and white (Mr. Bester) representatives to plead their case. The IFBB was assured that no discrimination of any kind would be permitted in their national federation, nor would any prejudice attend possible international meets in that country. Consequently, South Africa was warmly accepted into the IFBB brotherhood and was also awarded the 1975 World Bodybuilding Championships by a vote of 35-0, with Pakistan and Yugoslavia abstaining.

Editor’s Note:
Apartheid, meaning “separateness” or “apart-ness”, was a system of racial segregation, implemented by law, which operated in South Africa from 1948 to 1990. Apartheid, which by UN Convention was defined as a crime, was condemned internationally as unjust and racist.

It didn’t take long for detractors to criticize the decision to award the 1975 "IFBB Mr. Universe" to South Africa. President Weider would defend the IFBB’s position on many occasions, arguing that in sport, there should be no limitations; no barriers of race, religion, politics or culture. President Weider was uncompromising in his negotations with the government of South Africa. He demanded and received official assurance in writing that all athletes, regardless of race, would be treated as equals; that black and white athletes would compete together onstage, and that black and white athletes would be accommodated at the same hotel and would eat their meals together. See MISSION TO SOUTH AFRICA below for further detail.

POLITICS AND SPORT

By Ben Weider
IFBB President

Reprinted from the February 1975 edition of MUSCLE BUILDER/POWER

In 1975, for contributions to humanity through sport, IFBB President Ben Weider receives Canada’s highest award, the Order of Canada, from Goveror-General Jules Leger

Organizations of a political nature masquerading as sports federations have undertaken a very strong and energetic campaign to discredit the IFBB because we are holding our international congress and world bodybuilding championships in the city of Pretoria, South Africa, this year.

They accuse our federation of supporting racism and apartheid in South Africa.

Letters of protest have been sent by these political organizations to the various governments, sports organizations and the United Nations. We think it is time that we outlined the policy of our federation so everybody will understand more clearly what we stand for, and why we are going to South Africa to hold our championships.

1. The IFBB is an international amateur sports federation that permits no political, racial or religious matters to interfere with our activities.

2. We are strong believers that the United Nations was established to solve political, racial and religious problems of the world, and that the sports federations should only be interested in solving sport problems.

3. Our federation has 93 nations affiliated with it and it is impossible to became involved with the politics of each member nation. By recognizing a sports federation in a country, this does not imply that we recognize or accept the politics or the actions of that particular country. This only means that we recognize the sports federation of that country and will participate with them, if they adhere to and live up to the constitution and rules of our federation.

4. The decision to organize the world bodybuilding championships and international congress in South Africa was one that was taken by the majority of members of the IFBB delegates during our international congress that was held in Geneva, Switzerland in 1973. It was not a decision made by any one individual.

In 1972 we were also criticized heavily for deciding to make our Championships in Baghdad, Iraq. Many nations protested but we followed our sports code, and refused to give in and organized our championships in Baghdad, and they were a great success. We will not allow any political organizations, hiding behind the mantle of sport, to dictate to our federation what our sports policy should be, only our delegates can do this.

If we allowed our federation to become involved with politics we would not only have to consider racial discrimination, but we would also have to consider political and religious discrimination.

We are sure you realize that this would mean that almost every nation in the world would be implicated in some way or another. Thus, each sports federation would become a miniature United Nations and political discussions and arguments would ensue without any sports competition. The only way we can be honest with ourselves, and to fulfill our mandate as sport administrators, is to maintain the pure amateur sports code, and not to allow any outside influences to dictate to us, or to involve our federation in political, racial and religious discussion.

If you have any questions you wish to be answered, with regards to this letter, please do not hesitate to communicate with us.

IFBB President Ben Weider with IOC President Lord Killanin, who, in his New Year address to the worldwide sport community, called for an end to political and racial prejudice in sport; for leaders "to find a common denominator which overrides political, religious and racial borders in the modern world."

SOUTH AFRICA’S
SPORT MINISTER CONGRATULATES
THE IFBB

By Ben Weider, C.M.
IFBB President

Reprinted from the August/September 1975 edition of MUSCLE BUILDER & POWER

IFBB President Ben Weider and South African Minister of Sport Dr. Piet Koornhof

“This is by far the biggest single sports championships ever held in South Africa and the tenth to be staged here since 1973. I am truly happy to note the number of countries that place sport above politics. All sporting communities are welcome in South Africa and I regret there were some areas which, because of political pressure, are not represented here. However, as I promised your President, Mr. Ben Weider, regardless of race, color, or religion, I want to assure you of a very happy stay in South Africa. I genuinely believe sport must transcend all political difficulties.”

The above statement was made at the opening of the IFBB World Bodybuilding Championships held in Pretoria last November by Minister for Sport, Dr. Piet Koornhof.

The Minister continued: “Superb physical development is not just the birthright of the lucky few. It is available to all. I praise you for the example you are setting and pray that all the people in the Republic of South Africa, through your presence in our country, will develop better health and stronger bodies. For the body is the temple of God.”

Dr. Koornhof noted that a Russian author had recently written “that over the last hundred years, due to industrial development and other factors, the use of man’s muscles has dropped from 90% to 10%.

“It is a very serious problem,” Dr. Koornhof noted, “and if you look around you it will be obvious that the writer is correct. Our health and bodies are two of the most valuable possessions given us by the Creator. Although the human body is a highly efficient machine, it requires constant care and attention. No one can be a social success if he is not healthy. Success will be elusive if one cannot concentrate, if he is nervous, indecisive and always dragging a tired body around. Energy and zeal are what success demands.”

Referring to the IFBB Congress, the Minister for Sport said: “Glancing through your agenda, I notice that very important aspects of bodybuilding are to be discussed. I am certain that because of the IFBB’s scientific approach to bodybuilding, the sport is on the threshold of a great future throughout the world.”

He wished “all our esteemed visitors and competitors much success in the championships and may you have an unforgettable stay in the Republic of South Africa. I also wish you to come back to our country at some other stage and thank you for the opportunity of saying these few words at your Congress. I wish you a very prosperous future. You have bestowed a great honor on us by choosing Pretoria for your championships.”

In conclusion, Dr. Koornof said: “In years to come, the invaluable role you the bodybuilders are playing in the quest for a really healthy world will be better appreciated. Yours is a very valid contribution to world health.”

Thirty nations participated in the IFBB World Championships. As Arnold Schwarzenegger noted after Dr. Koornof’s address: “This has been the most encouraging speech I have ever heard on bodybuilding.”

Segments of the South Africa Championships were televised by ABC television recently.

Two high-level officials of the IFBB in South Africa Serge Nubret (France), IFBB 1st Vice President, and Winston Roberts (Canada), General Secretary

IFBB President Ben Weider proudly presenting the 1st-place award to Robbie Robinson in the Medium Class

PUMPING IRON: THE MOVIE
In 1977, an independant documentary movie shone a light on the world of bodybuilding, becoming a huge box office hit and creating an international sensation. It launched one man’s multi-million dollar career and changed the world of bodybuilding and physical exercise forever.

Pumping Iron is considered the all-time classic bodybuilding movie, documenting what is commonly referred to as "The Golden Age" of bodybuilding, a time when mass and size mattered less, and symmetry and definition of the body ruled.

The documentary follows the two main bodybuilding competitions, the 1975 "IFBB Mr. Universe" (for amateurs) and the 1975 IFBB Mr. Olympia (for professionals) in Pretoria, South Africa. Though the documentary focuses on Schwarzenegger, many notable bodybuilders make appearances, including Lou Ferrigno, Franco Columbu, Mike Mentzer, Robby Robinson, Mike Katz, Albert Beckles, Ken Waller, Frank Zane, Paul Grant, Ed Corney, and Serge Nubret, all talented champions in their own rights.

This photoarticle was compiled by Tony Blinn, Chairman IFBB Technical Committee, from various sources, most notably Joe Weider’s MUSCLE BUILDER & POWER magazine and IFBB International Congress reports.

I wish to express my appreciation to the authors and photographers for the text and photographs used in this photoarticle.