http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/pro-...t-its-way.html
by Jim Schmaltz.
Over at BodyBuilding.com, there is an article by Jim Schmaltz discussing what Arnold said about todays bodybuilding, the judges, and MR. Olympia. I thought maybe some of you may have some thoughts. He makes some interesting points, and some claims I wonder if are true. Some of the interesting quotes (ones that stood out to me at least) I put here.
Of what Arnold said, he wrote, "Many agree with him. Veteran observers of bodybuilding know what he was talking about: distended guts, Synthol bulges, acne scars, hypodermic abscesses, and Michelin Man levels of disproportionate body parts. Sometimes, the stage of a bodybuilding show looks like a group of household appliances with heads. What these bodybuilders lack can be found in the physiques of Arnold's competitive heyday during the '70s, known as the Golden Age of bodybuilding.
Not a year goes by that the contoured body of vintage Frank Zane isn't hoisted up on a pedestal and declared the ideal masculine aesthetic, the structure that all bodybuilders should strive toward. Images of a '70s-era Schwarzenegger on magazine covers still sell better than contemporary stars. This was the look that made the sport, that created an entire industry.”
About the dangers of the level of drug use:
"Many agree with him. Veteran observers of bodybuilding know what he was talking about: distended guts, Synthol bulges, acne scars, hypodermic abscesses, and Michelin Man levels of disproportionate body parts. Sometimes, the stage of a bodybuilding show looks like a group of household appliances with heads. What these bodybuilders lack can be found in the physiques of Arnold's competitive heyday during the '70s, known as the Golden Age of bodybuilding.
Not a year goes by that the contoured body of vintage Frank Zane isn't hoisted up on a pedestal and declared the ideal masculine aesthetic, the structure that all bodybuilders should strive toward. Images of a '70s-era Schwarzenegger on magazine covers still sell better than contemporary stars. This was the look that made the sport, that created an entire industry.”
He goes on to blame not only the judges, but
The Fans, who often demand that the biggest freaks get chosen over those who look more aesthetically pleasing
And Lastly, he says these bodybuilders are treated like “DISPOSABLE COMMODITIES.”
"Fans and sports media demand the spectacle, then express outrage when the corpses pile up. World Wrestling Entertainment is famous for its roster of wrestlers who died young, most often from accidental overdoses, suicides, and heart attacks. The National Football League, the nation's top spectator sport, has similar issues with concussion-related early deaths. These calamities have little effect, if any, on the popularity of these athletic entertainments.”
Any thoughts? Is he right, do we allow these guys to take a risk for our entertainment? Is it the fans?
And what about the science behind the drugs, do you all think they are killing these guys?