After Arnold Schwarzenegger, Franco Columbu also made a controversial comeback at Mr. Olympia in 1981

Controversial comebacks are just a part of the bodybuilding industry, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, the seven-time Mr. Olympia, started it in 1980. Taking inspiration from the Terminator, one of his close friends and rivals, Franco Columbu, also made a comeback and won the title at the 1981 Mr. Olympia.

After taking a hit in the 1980s with Mr. Olympia, many prominent bodybuilders like Frank Zane and Mike Mentzer took instant retirement and boycotted the 1981 Mr. Olympia championship by sitting out. However, many bodybuilders like Tom Platz, Chris Dickerson, Danny Padilla, and Samir Bannout were all set to compete to win the title.

But things changed in the 1980's Mr. Olympia when Arnold Schwarzenegger announced his comeback. Franco Columbu declared that he too would be competing in the 1981 Mr. Olympia. Before that, Columbu competed at the 1976 Mr. Olympia, winning his first Olympia title after Arnie's hiatus.

Franco Columbu found this a golden opportunity to clinch one more Olympia title because the three-time Mr. Olympia Frank Zane and Mr. Heavy Duty Mike Mentzer were not competing in the 1981 Mr. Olympia, according to TigerFitness.

Before Arnold Schwarzenegger's controversial Olympia, Franco competed at the 1977 World's Strongest Man competition. He suffered a knee injury, and doctors thought he might not walk again, marking the end of his career. But the 5'5" bodybuilder didn't lose hope, laughed it off, and started his own therapy program, as stated by Tiger Fitness.

Franco was absent from the game for almost half a decade. But years later, just like the seven-time Mr. Olympia, Franco Columbu shattered the dreams of many bodybuilders at the 1981 Mr. Olympia and clinched the title.

The result of 1981 Mr. Olympia after Arnold Schwarzenegger's most controversial Olympia

• Franco Columbo won the title and a grand total of $25,000.
• Chris Dickerson won the silver Sandow Trophy.
• Tom Platz won a bronze Sandow Trophy.
• Roy Callender finished in fourth place.
• Danny Padilla finished in fifth place.
• Jusup Wilkosz finished in sixth place.
• Dennis Tinerino finished in seventh place.
• Jonny Fuller finished in eighth place.
• Samir Bannout finished in ninth place.
• Roger Walker finished in 10th place.
• Huber Metz finished in 11th place.
• Carlos Rodriguez finished in 12th place.
• Ed Corney finished in 13th place.
• Steve Davis finished in 14th place.
• Mike Katz finished in 15th place.
• Ken Waller finished in 16th place.
• Jorma Raty finished in 17th place.