Muscle & Fitness: Skin city: join the world's best bodies in Las Vegas on Oct. 13-16 for the ult

"Rear lights-out spread."

The score was 22-21 when Ronnie Coleman called his last pose. As 5,000 fans roared, he and Jay Cutler turned, spiked their calves, tensed their hamstrings and fanned their lats like peacocks showing plumage. That's where we left them, with Ronnie winning his seventh Mr. Olympia on the final mano a mano challenge, and Jay consigned to a close second for the third time. On Oct. 15, Ronnie, Jay and all the other premier bodybuilderson the planet return to battle in what promises to be the greatest physique contest ever. The Mr. Olympia was launched in 1965 to determine the best of the best among bodybuilding's elite title-holders. In its 40-year history, there have been 10 winners, but four of those--Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lee Haney, Dorian Yates and Ronnie--have been one-man dynasties, collectively holding aloft 28 first-place trophies. This year, 41-year-old Ronnie will rendezvous with history as he seeks to break his seven-win tie with California's governor and match Lee's record of eight. This promises to be King Ron's toughest showdown yet, as top contenders vie to seize the crown and end his reign.

Three-time Olympia runner-up and three-time Arnold Classic victor Jay is sick of being the No. 1 contender. For the first time, Iron Jay has spent an entire year away from the stage in an effort to supersize himself. Now, he promises to possess enough lean beef to best the champ pose for pose. And don't overlook Dexter Jackson, who has a strategy for defeating both men. Fresh off his Arnold Classic win, the Jackson Juggernaut may not overwhelm with mass, but he's betting his inside straight of deep cuts and aesthetic lines will trump two aces in Vegas.

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

Last year's biggest surprise was Puerto Rico's Gustavo Badell, who squeaked past Dexter and into third during the challenge round. Gustavo's success will no longer be unanticipated. Rest assured, however, that there will be surprises. One could be the 290-pound, 27-year-old Russian bear, Alexander Fedorov. The behemoth, who literally trains in a cemetery, is scheduled to make his first appearance in America in only his second contest as a pro.

Likewise, stage-shaking German giants Markus Ruhl and Gunter Schlierkamp, fifth- and sixth-place finishers last October, both have the mass appeal to upset Ronnie and Jay. Gunter, who bested Ronnie in the 2002 Show of Strength, is the only man to have defeated the champ during his seven-year reign.

Chris Cormier, Lee Priest and Darrem Charles have finished ahead of Big Ron in the past as well. These accomplished veterans of the sport continue to improve, and all could contend for a top spot this year. It seems every fall a perennial also-ran rockets into the Olympia posedown. Fans should watch out for competitors like Troy Alves, Kris Dim and Mustafa Mohammad, too. Only the world's elite bodybuilders qualify for the Big O, so everyone who poses is also in the running for one of the biggest paychecks.

In addition to the Mr. Olympia prejudging and finals on Saturday, Oct. 15, the Fitness and Figure Olympia events will delight and enthrall audiences in the Orleans Arena on Friday, Oct. 14, with the world's most beautiful athletes and most athletic beauties. Two-time Figure Olympia champion Davana Medina and last year's Fitness Olympia winner Adela Garcia-Friedmansky return to defend their titles. The Ms. Olympia--a storied competition celebrating its 25th anniversary--will see Iris Kyle attempt to hold on to her title, while eight-time Ms. O Lenda Murray tries to add win No. 9 to her contest record.

BIGGER AND BETTER

Just as competitive bodybuilders continue to grow, so does their premier event. This year the Olympia contests move into their biggest and best venue yet: the Orleans Arena of the Orleans Hotel and Casino. This ultramodern amphitheater will accommodate more than 9,000 physique fans in oversized seating with unimpeded sight lines to the stage. The sound system and video screens are state of the art, promising to present the best audiovisual bodybuilding experience ever.

Like the contests, the Olympia Expo, held Oct. 14 and 15, has also outgrown its former home. This year it moves into the Las Vegas Convention Center, one of the largest and most modern of such facilities in the world. The Expo gains excitement with more athletic contests, seminars, celebrities and exhibitors than before. As a bonus and at no cost to riders, luxury buses with video screens will shuttle attendees in style between the Las Vegas Convention Center and the Orleans Arena before and after contests.

THE O EXPERIENCE

From Ronnie's quest for No. 8 to the beautiful women competing for glory to all the festivities and celebs you can meet up close and personal at the Expo, the Olympia Weekend is the premier bodybuilding and fitness event of the year, and the 40th anniversary celebration promises to reach new heights. It's bigger, it's better and it's Vegas, baby. When Ronnie, Jay and the rest of the best meet again to make history, anything can happen, and you definitely don't want to miss it. For ticket and hotel information, visit our website, www.2005olympia.com, and stay tuned next month for more info.

RELATED ARTICLE: 2005 OLYMPIA WEEKEND: EVENTS SCHEDULE*

THU OCT. 13

1 p.m.

Olympia Press Conference Orleans Hotel

Free admission

7 p.m.

Meet the Olympians Orleans Hotel

VIP ticketholders only

8 p.m.

Meet the Olympians Orleans Hotel

Free admission

FRI OCT. 14

10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Olympia Expo Las Vegas Convention Center

Free shuttle buses will run between the convention center and Orleans Hotel. Schedule to be posted

Noon

WOMEN'S JUDGING: Figure, Fitness and Ms. Olympia Las Vegas Convention Center

Free with your Expo ticket

3:30 p.m.

Ms. Muscle Beach Las Vegas Convention Center

Free with your Expo ticket

7 p.m.

FINALS: Figure and Fitness Olympia Orleans Arena

SAT OCT. 15

10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Olympia Expo Las Vegas Convention Center

Free shuttle buses will run between the convention center and Orleans Arena. Schedule to be posted

10 a.m.

JUDGING: Mr. Olympia Orleans Arena

2 p.m.

FINALS: Ms. Olympia Las Vegas Convention Center

Free with your Expo ticket

3:30 p.m.

M & F Battle of the Biceps (male & female) Las Vegas Convention Center

Free with your Expo ticket

7:30 p.m.

FINALS: Mr. Olympia Orleans Arena

10:00 p.m.

Olympia Victory Gala

VIP ticketholders only

SUN OCT. 16

11 a.m.

Olympia Champions Seminar Orleans Hotel

For ticket and hotel information, contact: www.2005olympia.com (866) 725-7606 vip@2005olympia.com

*Schedule is subject to change.

** The VIP package costs $600 and includes: the best seating for the Mr. Olympia, Ms. Olympia, Figure and Fitness competitions' judging and finals; early entry to the Meet the Olympians reception; tickets to the Saturday night Olympia Victory Gala and the Sunday Olympia Champions Seminar.

PHOTO BY ISABEL SNYDER