Bodybuilding.com - Ben Weider, IFBB President: 50th Most Influential Sports Personality In 2004.

Printable page

Did you know?
Olympian is a term reserved for use when referring only to a bodybuilder who has competed in the Mr. Olympia or Ms. Olympia competitions.

Sport Intern has selected Ben Weider, IFBB President as one of the world's most influential and outstanding sports personalities for 2004. This is a great honor for someone such as Mr. Weider. Read on to learn more.

Ben Weider, IFBB President: 50th Most Influential Sports Personality In 2004.

By: Rob Wilkins

Sport Intern, the highly respected international inside sports newsletter read by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) officials and members, selected Ben Weider, IFBB President as one of the world's most influential and outstanding sports personalities for 2004.

Each year the Sport Intern evaluates thousands of sports figures and selects the world's most 100 influential leaders. A six-time recipient, Weider was voted 50th on this list. The top sports personality for 2004 is Dr. Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

"When my brother Joe and I founded the IFBB in 1946, there were only two members, the United States and Canada. Today there are 174 countries affiliated to the IFBB, and we participate in all the regional games, which are approved by the IOC,"

Weider said.

Weider expressed sincere appreciation for once again being selected to this very distinguished list.

"I wish to thank all of the presidents, general secretaries, competitors and just as important the fans from each of our 174 National Affiliates. It is their dedication and support to our sport that make it great,"

said Weider.

As one of the top 50 sports personalities, Weider, ranked higher than such luminaries as Olympic champion swimmer, Michael Payne, basketball superstar, Kobe Bryant, Commissioner of Major League Baseball Bud Selig, and six-time winner of the Tour de France, Lance Armstrong.

David Pecker, Chairman, President & CEO of American Media Inc., and Ben Weider, IFBB President, shown signing the agreement.

Through this recognition, the international sports community shows a tremendous amount of respect for him, the IFBB, and the entire sport of bodybuilding.

Weider, a 1984 Nobel Peace Prize nominee, has received many prominent awards to include the Order of Canada, the highest award bestowed upon a Canadian citizen and most recently, he was promoted to the rank of an honorary Colonel in the 62nd Artillery Regiment, one of the most respected Artillery units in Canada.

The IFBB is the 5th largest sports federation in the world and a member of the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF). It is recognized by the Olympic Council of Asia and the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa and is recognized and participates in the following Games: the Pan American Games, the Southeast Asia Games, the Asian Games, the South American Games, the Central American Games, the Caribbean Games, the Pan Arabic Games the Arab Games, the South Pacific Games, the African Games, and the World Games.

A true sports visionary, the IFBB proudly congratulates Ben Weider for this distinguished recognition.

For subscription information to the Sport Intern, contact;

Karl-Heinz Huba
Postfach 1364
D-64649 Lorsch, Germany
or e-mail ISMG@AOL.com

For the most up to date information related to the IFBB, visit the official web site at www.ifbb.com

Rob Wilkins, Arnold and Ben Weider.

Click To Enlarge.

About The Author

Rob Wilkins is a Master Sergeant in the US Air Force stationed at The Pentagon, Washington, DC. Wilkins is also a Special Assistant for the International Federation of Bodybuilders (IFBB) and a recipient of the IFBB Gold Medal. To contact Wilkins e-mail him at Robifbb@yahoo.com.