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 By: Dan Solomon As the 2004 Olympia approaches, we caught up with Kelly as she prepares for the biggest fitness event of her career. She is considered a favorite to win the title, but she is taking nothing for granted.
Susie Curry was a great champion. I am hoping to pick up where she left off. I have worked very hard to be the best I can be. Now it's time to go out there and remove any doubt.
 Kelly Ryan in action. My physique has achieved balance and my routine will be my best ever. The Olympia is a very special show, and I am taking it very seriously.
I think we both bring something very different to the stage. We are both fierce competitors and we love to compete. My goal for this Olympia is to be the best overall athlete on stage, period.
I am committed to working with children and inspiring them to get started in fitness. It all starts with the kids… I take that responsibility very seriously.
I'll be ready.
The most anticipated Bodybuilding event in history is fast approaching. The athletes are fine-tuning their arsenal, tweaking their diets and increasing their reps. In other words, its time to "dial-in". The theme is oddly similar to the landscape that surrounds the upcoming presidential election. There are those who crave change… while others celebrate the merits of the incumbent. In the case of the Olympia, the incumbent is six-time champ Ronnie Coleman. While partisan-politics limit the number of challengers to a single party's nominee, the Olympia ballot is giving voters far more choices. Message boards are filling up fast and furiously as fans echo their opinions and debate the virtues of their favorite athletes.
When I chatted with (contest prep guru) Chad Nicholls in Atlanta, he responded, "it won't even be close". Apparently Ron is poised to present a similar package to what we saw in Vegas a year ago. If so, it's hard to argue with Chad's claim that Ronnie will win again.
On the other hand, there have been several reports out of Las Vegas that Jay Cutler will be phenomenal. Jay is working, once again, with nutritionist Chris Aceto and it appears that the top challenger is taking this event very seriously. Jay reports that he will weigh-in just above 260lbs, in freaky condition.
 Jay Cutler guest posing in San Francisco 4 weeks from the 2004 Olympia! Photos are courtesy of Bill Comstock - www.graphicmuscle.com The event has been hyped as a battle between Ronnie & Jay... but let's be reminded that Dexter Jackson was the most well-conditioned challenger at last years event. In fact, it's nearly impossible to identify a flaw on Dexter's razor sharp frame.
 Jay & Dexter At Last Year's Olympia. In a recent interview with Pro Muscle Online, Dexter stated "If you think I was in awesome shape last year, I promise I will be even better this time around". Chris Cormier is the wild-card. Various reports have questioned Cormier's focus for the Olympia. Sources close to his trainer (Charles Glass) have expressed doubts about Chris as the show draws closer. Although, it's impossible to know what version of Chris will show up in Vegas on October 30th. His potential in unlimited… but potential alone does not win Sandow trophies.
 Chris @ the 2004 Arnold Classic. There is no doubt that Gunter-Mania will revive itself at the Mandalay Bay. Schlierkamp has finished 5th in each of the past two Olympias. The audience alone will likely keep him in the top group, but we can only hope that his physique screams as loud as his fans.
Gunter, Victor, Darrem & Gustavo. With his victory at the Show of Strength, Victor Martinez secured the final spot in this years Olympia line-up. Runner-up Darrem Charles and 3rd place Gustavo Badell were already qualified. Victor, Darrem, Dennis James and Markus Ruhl and jockeying for a coveted spot among the Top 6.
Dennis James & Markus Ruhl.
In previous years, the winner's prize package has included a brand new Cadillac Escalade. This year, the winner will have to provide his own transportation. Although there will be no cars rolled out on stage, promoters have announced an increase in the cash prize money. The champ will collect a cool 120k. Followed by 75k and 50k respectively (for 2nd and 3rd). The total prize purse is $400,000… all 19 competitors will receive prize money. There will also be an additional $10,000 up for grabs for the Best Presentation Award (presented at Shawn Ray's All-Star Seminar). [Editor's Note: An extra $10,000 will go to the MD Freakazoid Award.]
The annual Q&A session with fans and media will unveil a new format as announced by the IFBB. The promoters have tabbed Bob Cicherillo to emcee a heated Q&A exchange with the athletes. Bob will be joined by the WWE's Triple H in an unusually entertaining new format. International film star Sylvester Stallone will be appearing at the Mr. Olympia competition. Stallone, creator of the upcoming NBC show "The Contender", is scheduled to introduce the new Challenge Round, featuring the six Mr. Olympia finalists in a one-on-one pose-down that will add a new layer of drama to this year's event. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Arnold, Stallone and Triple H are among those scheduled to appear.
For more interviews, reports and commentary - visit www.ProMuscleOnline.com
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