40 Years Ago – Bodybuilding Hits the Big Time........By: John Hansen

[The Prodigy]

40 Years Ago – Bodybuilding Hits the Big Time

The 10th Mr. Olympia contest was somewhat of a milestone in the history of bodybuilding’s biggest competition due to the emerging media attention it began to attract. In 1974, President Nixon was forced to resign in the wake of the Watergate scandal, Hank Aaron beat the beloved Babe Ruth’s home run record, frustrated motorists waited hours in line to fill up their cars, and streaking was in. The idea of muscles on a man’s body seemed as ridiculous a notion as not being allowed to smoke in a restaurant.

http://www.rxmuscle.com/articles/joh...-big-time.html

bb.jpg

[Curt James]

Another homerun by Hansen!

I remember reading an issue of Sports Illustrated that showcased Arnold and bodybuilding (not sure if it was the October 14th, 1974 issue) in the school library.


Cover of the issue mentioned by Hansen in his awesome article

Arnold was my hero then and he's my hero now.

More recently, though? SI seriously dropped the ball when covering the Arnold Sports Festival.


March 11, 2013 issue of Sports Illustrated

Jeff Pearlman's article on the Arnold Sports Festival seems to have been an attempt at humor or—more likely—outright mockery.

His opening line?

"I have to pee."

The author describes taking all of his free samples. At once.

Okay, actually, he stated it was over the course of eight hours, but still, who would do that?

Lucky for Pearlman he was covering the expo at the Arnold Sports Festival and not a pharmaceutical sales conference. I suppose this guy would ingest, pop, and apply all his free samples from there as well?

He comments that Schwarzenegger left office with a 22% approval rating and that Arnold's recent move "The Last Stand" was seen by just 12 people. I'm picking a nit to offer that Google states former Governor Gray Davis lost the office with that 22% approval rating while Arnold was sitting at 23%, but it does point to at least a slight exaggeration.

And while "The Last Stand" was a box office disappointment, I'm pretty sure more than 12 people checked it out.

But worse than the disrespect for Arnold at his own event was the disregard for the the sport and its fans.

"As neckless men and women with zit-coated backs and 28 levels of bulge on their shoulders peacocked about like cartoons brought to life, they received not a glare or negative look."

Opening spread to the Pearlman article

Ed Nunn appears in the issue's table of contents. With the top of his head cropped off.

"As a recreational jogger with nary an iota of muscle, I began to question this worship of pure brawn. What's so great about being big, anyhow? Who needs bulk?"
— Jeff Pearlman

No bias there.


The author (inside red square)

Pearlman spends the last column of his 6-page article describing a thumb wrestling match with 2010 NPC Jr. USA SHW champion David Schachterle. Seriously?

Sports Illustrated, you could have done better.

[joe-ali]

Great article! Mr Hanson always produces gems! Keep em comin!

[John Hansen]

Thanks guys. And that Sports Illustrated cover was the one I was referring to in the article Curt.

[hifrommike65]

thCAZZFNNZ.jpg

In 1974 Charles Gaines (writer) and George Butler (photographer) collaborated on the book Pumping Iron: The Art & Sport of Bodybuilding. It was a landmark then & continues to be now.