Mr. Olympia history: the contest’s early years
Compiled and translated by Janar Rückenberg
The Mr. Olympia title is the most prestigious title in bodybuilding, and its history begins in 1965. From Larry Scott’s first win to Dorian Yates taking the throne in 1992, 28 years passed, during which the title changed hands between six champions and the contest travelled from New York to Helsinki. Below is a chronology of the contests from that period: who won, where they were held and which duels left their mark.
The birth of Mr. Olympia: Joe Weider’s vision
In 1963, Joe Weider looked at the bodybuilding awards of the day and concluded that none of them matched his vision for the future of the sport. Weider realized that the generation of bodybuilders of the time was pushing past existing limits and needed a contest worthy of their talent.
And so the Mr. Olympia title was born – a contest that awarded the ultimate prize for a powerful, ideal physique. Weider’s goal was both practical and symbolic: to keep the Mr. Universe champions active and to give them the chance to make a living from bodybuilding, as professionals in other sports can.
Larry Scott and Sergio Oliva’s first reigns
On September 18, 1965, the Brooklyn Academy of Music was packed. Hands clapped, feet stomped and the crowd roared at the top of its lungs as California’s blond superstar, Larry Scott, stepped onto the stage. His arms were so big that their size was hard to believe. Scott was the bodybuilding icon of his day: by 1963 he had already won the Mr. America, Mr. World and Mr. Universe titles and had nothing left to prove. It was time to earn money from bodybuilding, and Weider’s new contest offered the platform to do it.
Scott won the 1965 Mr. Olympia title and repeated the feat in 1966. After that he retired, and the title was left vacant.
In 1967, Sergio Oliva, nicknamed The Myth, took the contest by a landslide. Many wondered whether Oliva could possibly get any better – and he did. In 1968 he won unopposed. In 1969, though, one of the biggest challenges in bodybuilding history awaited him: the Austrian Oak, Arnold Schwarzenegger. In a closely fought battle, Oliva still came out on top and became a three-time Mr. Olympia. Arnold promised afterward that Oliva would never beat him again.
Arnold’s dominance on the Mr. Olympia stage
In 1970, Arnold made good on that promise and beat Oliva. He was the third man to hold the Mr. Olympia title, and he declared that he would keep it until retirement. In 1971 the contest was held outside New York for the first time – in Paris, on the same day that NABBA staged the Mr. Universe in London. Loyal to the IFBB, Arnold competed in Paris, while the rest of the champions chose London.
In 1972 the contest moved to Essen, Germany, where a new Arnold–Oliva duel took place. Seven judges made the decision, and four of them voted for Arnold. People still argue about who won that contest.
In 1973 the Mr. Olympia returned to New York, and Arnold was crowned for the fourth time in a row, with Franco Columbu and Serge Nubret finishing behind him. In 1974 a new name stepped onto the pro stage: Lou Ferrigno, 162.5 cm tall and weighing 121.5 kg. He was Arnold’s most formidable opponent. Even so, it was Arnold who was crowned at Madison Square Garden – his fifth consecutive title.
In 1975 the contest was held in South Africa, and the documentary “Pumping Iron” was filmed at the same time. Many of Arnold’s close associates believed that the film and preparation for an acting career were the very reason he took part. He won and immediately announced his retirement.
Frank Zane and the triumph of quality
In 1976 the contest was held in Columbus, Ohio, and this time Arnold was one of the promoters. After five years of trying, Franco Columbu won the title – by a hair ahead of Frank Zane. Columbu then announced his retirement, while Zane stepped up his training.
1977 was Frank Zane’s year. He won in both 1977 and 1978, showing that the Mr. Olympia title doesn’t have to go to the biggest man on stage – quality wins. In 1979 Zane won for the third time in a row, and people asked whether he could break Arnold’s record of six titles.
1980 was one of the most controversial years in bodybuilding history. The contest took place in Australia, 16 competitors took the stage – the largest field so far – and Arnold made a comeback. When Arnold arrived in Australia, the other competitors took him for a TV commentator, and even at the press conference he was mistaken for an IFBB official. It all became clear when the competitor numbers were handed out: Arnold was competing, and he won his seventh Mr. Olympia title. The fairness of the judging is still disputed, and the film “Schwarzenegger – Total Rebuild” gives a good picture of that contest.
Translator’s note: although I’m a big Schwarzenegger fan myself, I have to admit that in terms of condition there were better men that year.
In 1981 Arnold was already involved as a promoter – together with Jim Lorimer – and the contest returned to Columbus. Arnold’s friend Franco Columbu made a comeback and took the title in a field of 16 competitors. In 1982 England hosted the event for the first time – in London, Chris Dickerson was crowned, having steadily placed second in the two preceding years. Right after his win, Dickerson retired from active competition.
Lee Haney’s record at Mr. Olympia
In 1983 the Olympia title carousel rolled into Munich. The title went to the “Lion of Lebanon”, Samir Bannout. His challengers were Egypt’s Mohammed Makkaway and, as a newcomer, the American Lee Haney. Nobody suspected that a new era was about to begin right there.
In 1984 the contest returned to New York City. 5000 spectators gathered for the finals, and 4000 fans watched the prejudging. For the first time, the top prize was 100,000 dollars. Lee Haney, who stood 177 cm tall and weighed 111 kg in contest shape, won by a clear margin. That was the start of his winning streak.
In 1985 the show was held in Belgium for the first time. Haney was once again dominant, with Albert Beckels and Rich Gaspari as his closest rivals – Lee’s second title. In 1986 in Columbus came the third, and observers began saying that this was the most powerful Mr. Olympia of all time. In 1987 the contest traveled to Sweden, and Haney took his fourth win in a row – Arnold’s record was within reach.
In 1988 the contest was held in Los Angeles, 6000 people came to watch, and the top prize rose to 150,000 dollars. Lee Haney won by a wide margin again, and Rich Gaspari finished second for the third year running.
In 1989 the contest traveled to Rimini, Italy, on the Adriatic coast. For the first time, Haney really had to work to defend his title: Lee Labrada and Vince Taylor made it a tight race. Some observers claimed that Haney had simply been lucky. He won anyway and drew level with Arnold – six consecutive Olympia titles.
In 1990 the contest was held in the USA, at the Arie Crown Theater in Chicago. 4400 people watched, and the top prize was 200,000 dollars. Haney was going for his seventh title defense and was 2 points behind after the first two rounds. Only after the posedown did he manage to win. The serious challengers were once again Lee Labrada and the newcomer Shawn Ray.
In 1991 the Olympia contest came to Orlando, Florida. Haney wanted to defend his title for the eighth time, and for the first time he faced a man of his own size: Dorian Yates was exactly as tall – 177 cm – and weighed 110 kg. After the first two rounds, just 4 points separated them. In the third and fourth rounds Haney managed to pull ahead and take his eighth consecutive win. It was a new record, and he decided to leave the stage.
The transition to the Yates era
In 1992 the Olympia contest took place in Helsinki, Finland. The throne was vacant, and it was certain that a new man would take the crown. The two going head to head were the 1991 U.S. National champion Kevin Levrone and that year’s runner-up, Dorian Yates. After the first two rounds Yates’s lead began to grow, and he won convincingly.
A new Mr. Olympia had been crowned. Whether this was the beginning of Yates’s long winning streak – more on that in the next part.
FAQ about Mr. Olympia
When was the first Mr. Olympia held?
The first Mr. Olympia was held on September 18, 1965, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York. Larry Scott was crowned the winner.
How many Mr. Olympia titles did Arnold Schwarzenegger win?
Arnold won seven Mr. Olympia titles in total: 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975 and, after his comeback, 1980.
Who holds the record for consecutive wins?
Lee Haney won the Mr. Olympia title eight times in a row, from 1984 to 1991. It is still the record.
to be continued…
Author: Janar Rückenberg
Source: WHO – physical activity.
Come and work out! ArtGym
