Flex: It's on and it's bigger than ever! Joe Weider's 2005 Olympia Weekend is set to make history wi

American Media, Inc., (AMI) and the International Federation of Bodybuilders (IFBB) have finalized plans for Joe Weider's 2005 Olympia Weekend, the biggest event on the bodybuilding calendar. Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Olympia jamboree also moves to bigger and more promising facilities.

Las Vegas, Nevada, will again host the annual paean to muscle, health and fitness, which will span from Thursday, October 13, through Sunday, October 16. The Mr. Olympia competition, the pinnacle of the four-day extravaganza, will be held at the brand-new, state-of-the-art 8,900-seat Orleans Arena, part of the Orleans Hotel and Casino, which will be the official Olympia host hotel.

With the Olympia extravaganza's annual growth, the expo will flex its expanding muscles at Las Vegas Convention Center, enabling many more vendors and attractions to be one view at the bodybuilding industry's event of the year.

David Pecker, CEO and chairman of AMI, says, "We're excited to have had the opportunity to move the Olympia Weekend into the combined facilities of the Orleans Arena and Las Vegas Convention Center. In terms of both quality and quantity, we've taken a step up, guaranteeing an Olympia Weekend that is sure to surpass the high standards that we and the IFBB set last year."

To recap and augment, here are the major features that will make the 2005 Joe Weider's Olympia Weekend a landmark event.

* ORLEANS ARENA Orleans Arena comprises state-of-the-art seating and broadcast technology. Dramatically tiered seating means there's not a bad seat in the house, and fans will have a great view of the action. This will be the largest arena to host the Mr. Olympia contest.

* LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER The convention center provides a more spacious and easily navigable environment that allows for a larger expo than in previous years. Look for new vendors and a host of exciting events at the expo all weekend.

* THE ORLEANS HOTEL AND CASINO The Orleans/Olympia partnership ensures that a considerably more affordable room rate is available than at past Olympias, making the event more accessible to a greater number of bodybuilding fans. As the official hotel of the Olympia Weekend, the Orleans will also be the place to see your favorite bodybuilding, figure and fitness celebrities.

* THE OLYMPIA'S 40TH ANNIVERSARY The 2005 Olympia marks the 40th anniversary of the ultimate event in men's bodybuilding competition. Special events are planned, and celebrity guests will be on hand to help celebrate this historic occasion.

* RONNIE COLEMAN GOES FOR EIGHT Ronnie Coleman has confirmed that he will attempt to make his own history as he competes for his eighth consecutive Mr. Olympia title. A win would tie him with legendary Lee Haney for all-time Olympia wins.

BUILDING ON 2004 | After dipping its toe in Olympia waters last year, the IFBB/AMI partnership is committed to taking the Olympia Weekend and bodybuilding to soaring new heights. Last year's innovations included a giant billboard in Times Square, the revolutionary Challenge Round and celebrity guests, such as Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Triple H and Tom Arnold. As plans develop for Joe Weider's 2005 Olympia Weekend, we promise you ain't seen nothin' yet!

For more information about the 2005 Olympia Weekend, go to www.2005olympia.com, www.flexmagazine.com or www.muscleandfitness.com. Also, look for upcoming articles detailing the event in both FLEX and MUSCLE & FITNESS magazines.

BY PETER MCGOUGH

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF