by Joe Pietaro
With the announcement that the bikini division will be a mainstay at Olympia Weekend, it is time to separate the classes right down the middle. Bodybuilding shows should be just that and both the men and women’s finals should be held together the same night. The prior evening can be for the fans of the newer – and less hardcore – divisions such as fitness, figure and bikini.
Listen – I personally have no problem whatsoever looking at women barely dressed cavorting on a stage and not feeling guilty about it, but for the sake of the sports world, bodybuilding differs greatly from the other three. As a man, staring intently at someone like Heather Mae French and calling it work is a great thing. But when I put on my sportswriter’s hat, it just doesn’t cut the mustard.
Interviewing Dennis Wolf or Iris Kyle is the other end of the spectrum. No knock against the smaller, svelte figures out there, but it’s similar to comparing an offensive lineman and a tennis player. Both are professional athletes, but prepare for their jobs completely different.