Where does one start when covering such a huge event.  My report will cover the highlights of each day starting with …..

THURSDAY

Early Thursday morning we set up our lights in the pump-up area of the main stage in the Events Centre, ready for the afternoon’s women’s prejudging.  I then took up my cameras position on the special TV platform front of stage, ready for the Press Conference to commence at 11am.

After Wayne DeMilia introduced all the athletes, 16 men, 15 Ms. Olympia, 14 Fitness Olympia and 12 Figure Olympia competitors, it was down to business.

Highlights of the Press Conference included the new granting of prize money to all Mr. Olympia competitors, Shawn Ray’s debate with Craig Titus and DeMilia re his representing all male pro bodybuilders and Vickie Gates announcing her retirement.

Then followed the Prejudging of the 3 separate Women’s events alternating class for class.  This worked extremely well and it progressed smoothly and quickly.  GMV recorded this with 2 cameras and for me it was a special privilege to be shooting for the first time ever from the front of stage in the Mandalay Bay Events Centre.  I could not have had better lighting or a better position.  Then our team set up our GMV booth ready for the Expo in the brand new Convention Centre.

At 7pm it was back with the cameras to the Islander Ballroom for Meet the Olympians.  We recorded a number of brief interviews and flexing by many of the competitors, male and female and we also took the opportunity to talk to Frank Zane.

FRIDAY

 We all assembled at our booth, with DVDs in particular selling like hot cakes.  The new area was sensational and we met a number of our regular customers over the 2 days of the Expo.  Soon it was time for camerawork as Dale covered the Muscle Beach area and I did interviews and posing at the various Expo booths, assisted by Clive and Brett.  I specially wish to thank Kenny Kassel who did a number of our interviews for us, and found many brilliant women for us to tape.  Well done, and greatly appreciated, Kenny.  You are a star!!  The people we chatted to on video over the 2 days of the Expo are too numerous to mention, so you will need to check out the Expo videos/DVDs to see how many famous faces we captured.

My special thanks to MRM who gave me supplements in sponsorship for my indoor rowing competitions.

Friday evening and it was back to the pump-up area in the Events Centre for the Ms. Olympia, Fitness Olympia  and Figure Olympia finals.  The whole stage area, front and rear was brilliantly designed by Blake Design Inc., thanks to Charles, Ken and Gavin Blake, plus their helpers.  We enjoyed a wonderful, large carpeted space for the pump-up area, with equipment arranged and supplied by Ivanko Barbell Company.  Thanks Tom.

There were no real surprises in the results, although I did feel that Kelly Ryan had done enough this year to take the fitness title.  I felt her two routines were the best and that her physique also showed improvement this year.  However, Susie Curry could not be denied and was a worthy winner.  Susie says she will retire from fitness now and perhaps compete in figure as from next year.

In the Ms Olympia it was again Lenda Murray vs. Juliette Bergmann for the overall title with Lenda once again victorious.  This gives Lenda the outright winner of most Olympia titles with 9, surpassing the 8 won by Lee Haney.  What an incredible achievement and she is without doubt the greatest female physique champion of all time.  Lenda also mentioned she would now retire.

Iris Kyle looked sensational as did Denise Masino in her first Olympia.  Helle Nielsen of Denmark was most impressive as a new-comer and was probably the youngest woman in the event.  She placed 5th in a very tough class.

FIGURE OLYMPIA

This was the first ever Figure Olympia and Monica Brant very nearly made it a double Olympia crown as she won the 1998 Fitness Olympia in France.  But she was denied by the total all round package presented by Davana Medina.    I felt that Monica was perhaps a little over depleted, she was so incredibly lean.  Davana seemed to have an edge in all areas in achieving the narrowest of victories.

Two other figure women to really impress me were Mary Kudla who placed 4th and Dina Al-Sabah who placed 5th.  I feel these two are headed for major titles in the future. 

For a full set of Olympia results, both men and women, see our Results Section.  While the women’s prejudging took place, Clive did interviews with all the Mr. Olympia competitors for Andy Olson.

SATURDAY

The big day of the Olympia weekend had arrived.  For our team it was taping at the Expo in the morning, then a rush to set-up in the pump room by 11am ready for the Mr. O prejudging to commence at mid-day.  What a bonanza it was for us, as guys trickled into the pump-up area one at a time.  Hardly a single muscle contraction was missed by our 2 cameras in the pump areas in what I predict will be our best ever back stage tapes.  This year I had a brand new camera which also helped take things up a notch or two.

First impressions in the pump area;

JOHNNY JACKSON – a very symmetrical, tight physique, perfect skin, but not the mass to place him in the top 10.  He placed 11th.

ERNIE TAYLOR – saw a lot more of him in the pump area this year, he exuded greater confidence than before, was in superb condition and his 10th place was a fair reward.  He went on to place 2nd in both the English and Dutch Grand Prix 1 week later.

CLAUDE GROULX – consistent as ever, good hard condition, but not with the degree of separation needed to place higher than the 14th position he attained.

JAY CUTLER – looked very good, but did not seem to have the crispness and separation he displayed at the Ironman earlier this year.  When Jay tenses on stage, especially the thighs, he looks his most impressive.  But I did not feel that he was going to take the title from Ronnie this time.  But Jay will be the next Mr. Olympia - as soon as Ronnie slips back or retires – I have no doubt of that.

RONNIE COLEMAN – he was simply awesome this year and improved on last year.  His thighs were simply unbelievable and as he spent quite a bit of time in the pump room over prejudging and the evening show I was able to get some incredible closeup footage on his thighs and massive “hammies”.  The mid section was under better control and the detail and size in the arms, delts and back put Ronnie in a class of his own.  A clear winner.

DARREM CHARLES – wonderful symmetry and condition and I felt the best poser award would between him and Melvin Anthony.  It turned out to be Melvin’s award this time.

ART ATWOOD – looks great when he tenses hard and is a massive physique.  Tends to get overlooked when he is relaxed as his symmetry seems to be slightly out of balance.  Considering his recent injury, his 13th placing was not too bad.

LEE PRIEST – it was not Lee’s day, which is the kindest way I can put it.  It was said in the media that this was Lee’s last contest before retirement.  I don’t know if this is correct as I hope Lee will go out on a high note.  It seemed to me that Lee was about 4 weeks away fro his peak.  Plenty of size but the condition and separation were both missing.  Most disappointing to see such a great physique place so low.

DENNIS JAMES – much improved this year and had his mid-section under control.  Tighter all round.  Great V-shape and well deserved his 4th place.

DEXTER JACKSON – he was 100% ready for this event and in the best shape of his life.  Bigger, fuller and rock hard.  Hard to find a weakness in Dexter and most deserving of his 3rd place.

RODNEY ST. CLOUD – impressed me as a future champion with very good potential.  His first Olympia and he will be inspired to push onto a new level.  Needs more size but has good symmetry to build on.

JONATHAN DAVIE – our resident Aussie (as Lee has lived in USA for some years).  A good first effort for this very new pro bodybuilder.  Jonathan was in good hard condition and the experience will greatly inspire him to strive for a new level in the future.  I hope he will be back as he has years of improvement ahead if his desire stays high.

KEVIN LEVRONE – seemed to be ‘flat’ this year and was not a threat to the top 3 guys.  He was recovering from an injury and this sadly showed in his overall condition.  Had to settle for 6th this time after 2nd last year.

TROY ALVES – gets my best rookie award with his 8th place in his 1st Olympia.  Has a very pleasing shape, always presents himself in top condition, and deserves the accolades he has worked years to achieve.  Probably the most improved bodybuilder over the last 18 months or so.

GÜNTER SCHLIERKAMP – were we all expecting too much of Günter after he beat Ronnie last year at the GNC?  Günter looked very good  and if anything he could have been bigger, he has such a huge  bone structure.  His condition was hard although not shredded and I felt he looked similar to last year.  Same placing, 5th again.

MELVIN ANTHONY – The Marvellous One lived up to his name!  A great physique in wonderful condition and posing which is out of this world.  His 9th place was well-deserved and watch for Melvin to place higher in the future.  Melvin posed for GMV poolside next day.

The evening show had no surprises with Ronnie winning his 6th Olympia crown.  Will he win 2 more to equal Haney??

Arnold S. and Franco Columbu both gave speeches with Arnold coming back stage for a brief appearance.  See it all on our videos and DVDs as soon as they are released. 

My next report will cover the English and Dutch Grand Prix.