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[Definitie:] "An ergogenic aid is any substance or phenomenon that enhances performance."
(Wilmore and Costill) 
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1 8 - 0 4 - 2 0 0 5 Re: Mike Mentzer - 1980 Mr. Olympia
« Reply #206 on: Today at 11:34:31 AM »
Reno
I was at the 80 Olympia and I am familiar with the various participants. Actually, I was an Arnold admirer and in no way was in agreement with Mentzer's demigod attitude; and surely felt his training method promoted only injuries. Arnold would say that we should encourage the bodybuilding public to seek out info from all and let the individual decide what was best for him. Mentzer was adamant that his way was the only way and screamed it to the world. Also Mike told anyone that would listen that Weider's supplements [all supplements] were a waste of money. Well this surely did not make MM a popular figure with Weider Enterprises which makes it's revenue off of supplements and mags [which Mike also said to all were a waste of money]. Can you imagine Mike would tell people at his seminars NOT to buy muscle mags for they only had misinformation. Anyway, it's easy to see that MM was the most disliked bodybuilder in the world among the powers that be; as well as being the most popular bodybuilder among the fans in the period of 77-80. People would come into Gold's from around the world and almost universally go ga-ga over Mike M. In person Mike looked MUCH better than his photos. One of the reasons being that the average bodybuilder is visually challenged [face] where everyone considered Mike to be the most handsome bodybuilder since Steve Reeves. I remember one British champion of the time saying that Mike gets more ass than a toilet seat! Which was true and also added to the resentment against Mike. Actually a month before his passing Mike and I discussed this very same topic. Anyways you can get the flavor of what was going on as we progress to 78 where Mike wins the Universe with the first perfect score. All the guys I talked to or heard talking about it weren't surprised as an in shape Mentzer was the best in the world. The 79 Olympia [was there] was easily won by Mike [imo] but as Serge Nubret said [as well as many others] they wouldn't give it to him because of politics [see above explanations] as well as the fact that Zane was marketable to the public. The average Joe could relate to Zane thinking he could emulate his build; they could not relate to Mentzer. Chris Lund stated that he had photographed them all and Mentzer was the best of all time in 79. In 80 I felt that Arnold was not at his best but not as off as people felt. Arnold weighed 225 the same as Mentzer with Arnold being 4 inches taller and not as symetrical nor conditioned as Mike. It was obvious to everyone that Mike was in a class by himself- Chris Dickerson [no arms, narrow sloping shoulders] Zane [injured before the contest, legs non exsistent at this event, Coe at his all time best but simply does not have the shape or midsection. I felt Walker and possibly Tinerino could have placed above Zane and Dickerson. I must say that Arnold's posing was unprofessional with his continuous interruptions for glancing to the sidelines for instructions from Franco. Mentzer's posing was magnificent with his routine filled with more signature poses than I think I have ever seen before or since- crucifix, extended one arm poses from both sides, twisting one arm tricep, sartorious, one arm over head back , etc. etc. these were poses no one else could duplicate. And don't forget the vacuum. Zane wouldn't even attempt his for fear of comparison during the pose down while Mentzer repeated it often. You get the picture. The CBS crew followed Mentzer around the whole contest because they saw him as the obvious winner- they said that and it is true. Of course they refused to air it afterwards for they felt the contest was fixed. The audience booed Arnold and everyone thought Mentzer should have won- which he should have but Mike had made far too many enemies and was very bad for business. They wanted Mike [the most popular bodybuilder in the world to the public at the time] out of the picture. Mike knew that no matter what he did in the future they would never let him win or even place high again [as in 79]. I would like to note that Mike changed completely later in his life and was a person that cared about humanity.
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