Home Talk Live Lori Contests Nutrition Homegrown Training Galleries Muscle Scoop Die Welt About Us		BEN WEIDER, IFBB PRESIDENT 48th MOST INFLUENTIAL SPORTS PERSONALITY IN 2002 By Rob Wilkins Special Assistant for the IFBB For the fifth consecutive year, Sport Intern, the highly respected international inside sports newsletter read by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) officials and members, selected Ben Weider, IFBB President, as one of the worlds most influential and outstanding sports personalities. Each year the Sport Intern evaluates thousands of sports figures and selects the world's 100 most influential leaders. Weider was voted 48th on this list. Tied for the top sports personality for 2002 were Dr. Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Sepp Blatter, President of the FIFA International Football Federation. "This type of positive acknowledgment demonstrates how the international sports community recognizes and accepts the worldwide bodybuilding movement. Bodybuilding is a sport that benefits anyone and everyone in a long-lasting, positive manner. We are not a sport for the few, but a sport for the many. From China to the tiny Norfolk Islands, bodybuilding continues to gain tremendous respect and help develop long lasting friendships on an international basis. Without question, thanks to the dedication and hard-work of our IFBB officials and support of our great fans, there is no limit on how far our sport can go," commented Ben Weider, IFBB President. As one of the top 50 world's most influential sports personalities, Weider placed higher than such luminaries as Michael Jordan, basketball superstar, Bud Selig, Commissioner of Major League Baseball, Lance Armstrong, 4-time Tour de France Champion, Paul Tagliabue, Commissioner of the National Football League (NFL), and Anita DeFrantz, member of the IOC and Chairwoman of the IOC Women and Sport Working Group. Weider founded the IFBB with his brother Joe, in Montreal, Canada, in 1946 with only two countries in order to promote the sport of bodybuilding on an international basis. The IFBB now has 173 countries as members and is the 5th largest sport federation in the world 2002 was another groundbreaking year in bodybuilding as the European Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (EBFF), a cohesive group of 47 European National Federations was organized. "Thanks to the technical know how and hard work of Tony Blinn, the IFBB continues to show incredible growth online via the official web site, www.ifbb.com. The website is viewed by over three-and-a-half million visitors from over 140 countries each month. In 2002, the Internet played a vital role in launching the "IFBB Hall of Fame" which has received a tremendous response from our fans," Weider said. Weider, a 1984 Nobel Peace Prize nominee, has received many prominent awards to include the Order of Canada, the highest award bestowed upon a Canadian citizen. Weider is the only Canadian citizen to ever receive the Order of Canada, the Order of St. John, the Knight of the National Order of Quebec, and the Legion of Honor, which is the highest award presented by the French government. For subscription information to the Sport Intern, write to ISMG, Postfach 1364, D-64649 Lorsch, Germany or e-mail ISMG@AOL.com For the most up to date information related to the IFBB, visit the official web site at www.ifbb.com __________________________________________________________________________________ Rob Wilkins is a Master Sergeant in the US Air Force stationed at The Pentagon, Washington, DC. Wilkins is also a Special Assistant for the International Federation of Bodybuilders (IFBB) and a recipient of the IFBB Gold Medal. To contact Wilkins e-mail him at Robifbb@yahoo.com. lizabeth Maurice