12.10.2004:IFBB Declares Female Bodybuilders "A Little Too Muscular"
Friday, December 10, 2004 at 14:59 The following advisory is from the official IFBB website: www.ifbb.com
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This request for a 20% decrease in the amount of muscularity applies to those female athletes whose physiques require the decrease regardless of whether they compete in Bodybuilding, Fitness or Figure. All professional judges have been advised of the proper criteria for assessing female physiques. Sincerely, Jim Manion |
On another planet, this would pass as a normal press release declaring a change in a sport's rulebook.
On Earth, it is the equivalent of David Stern (NBA Commissioner) announcing that NBA players will be required to run 20% slower and jump 20% lower this year.
Maybe a better analogy would be writing a law that said sharks have to bite 20% softer this year. Because the drive in these women to build their bodies into massive, peak condition is just as strong as a shark's urge to chomp the heads off of little babies.
What does this mean?
In the long run, probably nothing. Rules have been written in the past attempting to prohibit people from doing things they love (see Amendment 18) with little or no success. So fear not, female bodybuilders and fans, as ruthless and misogynist as this rule appears to be, it probably won't stick.
In the short term, however, who knows what 2005 will bring for the "weaker sex" bodybuilders, fitness, and figure competitors. Let's hope they try to enforce the rule by awarding 1st prize to the smallest entry in each division. I'm sure that will go over well with the fans.
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