JOE WEIDER’S 2006 OLYMPIA WEEKEND FACT SHEET

Dates: Sept. 28-Oct. 1  INCLUDING THE LIST OF ALL COMPETITORS QUALIFIED TO DATE.

Prize Money: The total prize money for the Mr. Olympia contest has increased from $480,000 to $546,000 this year. The money from the Challenge Round — which will not be included this year — and last year’s Wildcard Showdown, $60,000 in total, will be distributed among all the athletes. First place: $155,000. Second: $90,000. Third: 60,000. Fourth: $48,000. Fifth: $38,000. Sixth: $30,000. Seventh: $18,000. Eighth: $17,000. Ninth: $16,000. Tenth: $14,000. Eleventh and lower: $4,000 each. (The combined total prize money for the Mr., Ms., Figure and Fitness Olympia competitions is $725,000.)
Olympia Finals: This format should ensure a packed Orleans Arena both Friday and Saturday night.

Women’s Contests: On Friday afternoon, prejudging for all the women’s contests — Fitness, Figure and Ms. Olympia — will be held at the Olympia Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center, followed by the finals of the Fitness O and Ms. O Friday night at the Orleans, in conjunction with the men’s initial showdown. Figure finals will be held Saturday night as part of the Mr. Olympia finals, again at the Orleans Arena.

Bigger Fitness Expo: Friday and Saturday’s Olympia Expo will be packed with booths, giveaways and entertainment, including a model search and the Sport Martial Arts Tournament put on with help from Black Belt magazine, where 16 of the country’s top amateur fighters will do battle. While the tournament will feature some of the best amateurs, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will also bring some of its top professional fighters for fans to meet.

Fittest Model Search: Hardbody Entertainment, the title sponsor of the Olympia Weekend, kicked off the inaugural World’s Fittest Model Search in May in search of the world’s top undiscovered physiques. The top 15 male and 15 female finalists will appear in Vegas, with the ultimate winners crowned during the Olympia Weekend.
Plenty of Free Transportation: First, in response to feedback from last year’s show, the number of buses running between the Orleans Hotel and the Las Vegas Convention Center will be tripled, making it much easier for fans to catch everything during the action-packed weekend.

Party With The Pros: The Olympia After-Party, where VIP ticketholders mingle with fitness, figure and bodybuilding stars, takes place after Saturday night’s show. It will be followed Sunday morning with the Olympia Superstar Seminar, giving those who made the trek to Vegas one last chance to ask questions and get training and nutrition advice from the top athletes in the contests.
Olympia Ticket Info: To order call the Orleans Arena Box Office at (702) 284-7777 or toll-free at (888) 234 2334. You can also order tickets online at www.orleansarena.com.

OLYMPIA WEEKEND SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Thursday – Orleans
Press Conference (Orleans Showroom)
Meet the Olympians (Orleans Arena)
Friday – Las Vegas Convention Center (10 AM–5 PM)
Women’s Judging – Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure
SMA Tournament – Round 1 & 2
Friday – Orleans Arena (7 PM)
Women’s Finals – Fitness & Ms. Olympia
Mr. Olympia Judging
Saturday – LVCC (10 AM – 5 PM)
Hardbody Entertainment’s World’s Fittest Model Search
SMA Tournament – Semi & Finals
Battle of the Biceps
Saturday – Orleans Arena (7 PM)
Mr. Olympia & Figure Finals
Olympia Victory Gala
Sunday – Orleans Hotel (11 AM)
Olympia Superstar Seminar

MR. OLYMPIA LINEUP
 
These are the men qualified for the Mr. Olympia, up through the New York Pro contest May 20. More athletes can qualify during the Europa Super Show (in Texas) August 26, The Montreal Pro September 3, the Atlantic City Pro September 23, and the Santa Susanna Pro (in Spain) September 24.

Troy Alves
Melvin Anthony
Gustavo Badell
Darrem Charles
Bob Cicherillo
Ronnie Coleman
Jay Cutler
Phil Heath
Dave Henry
Dexter Jackson
Dennis James
Victor Martinez
Mustafa Mohammad
Lee Priest
Ronny Rockel
Günter Schlierkamp
Vince Taylor
Branch Warren
Bill Willmore

MS. OLYMPIA

Lisa Aukland
Dayana Cadeau
Jitka Harazimova
Iris Kyle
Yaxeni Oriquen-Garcia
Betty Pariso
Bonny Priest
Brenda Raganot
Annie Rivieccio 
 
FITNESS OLYMPIA

Julie Childs
Regiane Da Silva
Heidi Fletcher
Adela Garcia
Tracey Greenwood
Amy Haddad
Jennifer Hendershott
Tanji Johnson
Kimberly Klein
Deana Lee
Julie Palmer 
 
FIGURE OLYMPIA

Gina Aliotta
Jane Awad
Gina Camacho
Andrea Dumon
Monica Brant-Peckham
Mary Elizabeth Lado
Amber Littlejohn
Jenny Lynn
Davana Medina
Jessica Paxson
Christine Pomponio-Pate
Amanda Savell
Tara Scotti
Jennifer Searles
Chastity Slone
Valerie Waugaman
Latisha Wilder