In the last issue my editorial mentioned that while bodybuilding federations, supplement companies and media are often pointed to as the culprits for not molding a drugless sport due to rewarding those who use with victory and exposure, it isn’t likely any of those sources will take action to try to change things. It isn’t realistic to expect any of them to be able to effectively change the major scheme of things even if they did. The editorial instead identified the federal government as being the one source that could likely bring about change and rid bodybuilding of routine drug use -- if they were to make doing so a priority. Recent events, however, have sparked thoughts about another factor that could very well enable natural bodybuilding to become much more prominent.

Bodybuilding started out as just plain old bodybuilding. Steroids were nonexistent in the beginning. The sport grew, and the earliest federations grew with it. The American Athletic Union (AAU) and International Federation of Body Builders (IFBB) were the only games in town in America in the early days, and both grew to be very sizable organizations. When steroids first hit the scene, they weren’t illegal, and very little was known about any dangerous side effects they could bring. Many used them thinking little of doing so. Pills that made muscles bigger… a bodybuilders dream! Use became more widespread as champions got bigger and bigger. By the time awareness of dangers became more prevalent and steroids became illegal, steroids had become a necessity for those desiring to be the “best.” The AAU and IFBB didn’t change their ways despite the aforementioned realizations and drug enhanced bodybuilding continued to be the thing.

When the concept of natural bodybuilding developed and drug-tested competitions were introduced, the giants of the sport (AAU and IFBB) ignored it. New organized bodies had to be formed to conduct tested events. At that point in time it was a David versus Goliath battle. New federations had to try to blossom in a place where the established federations fought to prevent the creation of potential competition in their business. The giants had size, recognition, and media support, whereas infant natural organizations were void of all. While early natural federations popped up in the late seventies and early eighties, none grew significantly in the face of the opposition they encountered from the established giants in the sport. In time new leaders in the natural bodybuilding movement surfaced, but few of those individuals worked together to combine their efforts. What happened instead

IFBB and amateur affiliate NPC. Another perceived blow to the IFBB could be the recent stepping down of Ben Weider from his long-time position of President. Are these things signs of a beginning of a downfall?

Manion’s shift in 1982 from heading AAU physique to creating a new organized body began the deflation of the departed. In similar fashion, the most prominent promoter in the history of the IFBB and the federation’s former Vice President, Wayne DeMilia, parted ways with the IFBB in 2004 and has been organizing a new association referred to as PDI (or PD interchangeably), which stands for Pro Division Inc. Note even the likeness between Manion’s move from Chairman of the AAU National Physique Committee to creator of the separate NPC organization (National Physique Committee) and DeMilia’s move from Vice President of IFBB Pro Division to creator of the separate PD organization (Pro Division). Will history repeat itself?

DeMilia’s long-time involvement in the upper echelons of the sport produced many contacts in the field and made him a very influential person as well. This undoubtedly will be beneficial to his efforts with the PDI. DeMilia’s famed Night of Champions show turned PDI Night of Champions for 2006. A handful of IFBB athletes, the most notable of which was Lee Priest, along with another handful of national level NPC athletes took part in the event. Twenty-three competitors from a number of different countries participated. The total cash purse offered was $50,000. The event was weighty in significance – something grand enough and appealing enough to spark serious interest. PDI could become a real threat, especially at a time when Joe Weider’s involvement is fading.

PDI has announced plans for more pro shows, amateur affiliates and other avenues for competitors to qualify for PDI Pro events. If successful, the drug-enhanced side of bodybuilding could begin to divide and lose some of its power of unity.

Perhaps past desires and efforts for the popularization of natural bodybuilding alone weren’t the key for its success. Maybe the weakening of its counterpart is necessary to enable succeeding in the face of it more feasible. Maybe the success of one relies on the failure of another.