Joe Pietaro
Joe Pietaro Contributer
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We are only a few weeks out from the 2023 Olympia Weekend and the entire industry its abuzz with what will be coming up in Orlando, Florida. But to whet our appetite, the promoters are already teasing what will be different from this show compared to next year. And it has huge implications for those competitors who place out of the top three. In years past, the top five in each category had an automatic qualification for the following Olympia. While it did reward those who came in solid but failed to win, it also had a trickle down effect where many of the top names did not compete all year to focus on the Olympia. Hence the new rule.
If this rule had been in place for this year's event, it would not have effected two-time Sandow winner Mamdouh "Big Ray" Ellsbiay and another former champion - Brandon Curry - since previous Mr. Olympia winners have a lifetime qualification. But that will in all likelihood be the exception and not the rule moving forward,
So there will be a battle to at least get third place (Nick Walker did so a year ago in Las Vegas) to have the luxury to not be under the gun to qualify for the biggest event in The Iron Game. In decades past, many of the top IFBB pros wanted to compete multiple times a year to win more prize money. But to the credit of the promoters, the Olympia purses have risen tremendously since then and it is an infrequent occurrence when one of the big names hits the stage more than once a year.
This new rule will of course result in the fans getting to see their favorite bodybuilders in other shows besides the Olympia and that can only help the sport overall.
Here at the Olympia, we pay close attention to the hundreds of Olympia qualifier events held around the world. In recent years, the top 5 finishers in the Mr. Olympia division have received an automatic qualification to the following year’s Olympia, but after consulting with the IFBB Pro League we have decided to make a change.
Starting with this year’s event, only the top 3 in the Mr. Olympia will automatically qualify for the following year’s Olympia. We are making this change in an effort to add some additional star power to the various regional events held worldwide.
This change is being made with the full support of the IFBB Pro League as we all share an interest in maintaining a system that strengthens events at all levels.
Jake Wood
Olympia Owner
• Note: With this change, it now means that the top 3 in all Olympia divisions will receive an automatic qualification to the following year’s Olympia.
If this rule had been in place for this year's event, it would not have effected two-time Sandow winner Mamdouh "Big Ray" Ellsbiay and another former champion - Brandon Curry - since previous Mr. Olympia winners have a lifetime qualification. But that will in all likelihood be the exception and not the rule moving forward,
So there will be a battle to at least get third place (Nick Walker did so a year ago in Las Vegas) to have the luxury to not be under the gun to qualify for the biggest event in The Iron Game. In decades past, many of the top IFBB pros wanted to compete multiple times a year to win more prize money. But to the credit of the promoters, the Olympia purses have risen tremendously since then and it is an infrequent occurrence when one of the big names hits the stage more than once a year.
This new rule will of course result in the fans getting to see their favorite bodybuilders in other shows besides the Olympia and that can only help the sport overall.
Official Press Release
Who Automatically Qualifies for Next Year’s Olympia?Here at the Olympia, we pay close attention to the hundreds of Olympia qualifier events held around the world. In recent years, the top 5 finishers in the Mr. Olympia division have received an automatic qualification to the following year’s Olympia, but after consulting with the IFBB Pro League we have decided to make a change.
Starting with this year’s event, only the top 3 in the Mr. Olympia will automatically qualify for the following year’s Olympia. We are making this change in an effort to add some additional star power to the various regional events held worldwide.
This change is being made with the full support of the IFBB Pro League as we all share an interest in maintaining a system that strengthens events at all levels.
Jake Wood
Olympia Owner
• Note: With this change, it now means that the top 3 in all Olympia divisions will receive an automatic qualification to the following year’s Olympia.
