Ronnie Coleman awarded Ben Weider lifetime achievement award at Tampa Pro 2024

Being one of only two bodybuilders to have been named Mr. Olympia eight times, bodybuilding legend Ronnie Coleman has inspired countless individuals to take up lifting over the years. The bodybuilding icon recently received another accolade that he can proudly showcase in his room full of trophies.

Tampa Pro 2024, which finished just hours ago, saw many champions emerge. Amidst the fierce battle between athletes to win their Mr Olympia qualification, mass monster Ronnie Coleman was awarded the prestigious Ben Weider Lifetime Achievement Award.

Ronnie Coleman proudly shared a picture with the award on his Instagram and wrote:

“I'm Honored to receive this year's Ben Weider Lifetime Achievement Award!! Thank you to everyone who came out to the Tampa Pro and thank you to @mrolympiallc for this truly amazing award....YEAH BUDDY!!!!”

Ben Weider, brother of Joe Weider, played an important role in shaping modern bodybuilding. He co-founded the International Federation of BodyBuilders alongside Joe Weider. The award was commissioned by Ben Weider back in 2008, just months before his death.

List of athletes who won the Ben Weider Lifetime Achievement Award before Ronnie Coleman

Ben Weider’s Lifetime Achievement Award has previously been presented to many bodybuilding icons who proved their mettle in the realm of fitness and bodybuilding.

The long list of athletes includes Rich Gaspari, Lee Haney, Chris Dickerson, Lee Labrada, Lenda Muray, Corey Everson, Dexter Jackson, Vince Taylor, and Peter McGough. (as per Digital Muscle)

Ben Weider, the former president and founder of IFBB, had received the 2004 Perry and Mabel Rader Lifetime Achievement Award at the 15th annual Ironman competition in 2004.

Paying his respect to Ben Weider, John Balik, who was the promoter of the show, stated (via Muscle & Fitness):

"Ben Weider is the seminal force in the creation of worldwide bodybuilding as it exists today. His almost 60 years of focused and tireless effort to realize his dream has made our collective dream possible."

During his speech after receiving the award, Ben Weider stated:

"It's an honor and privilege for me to receive the Perry and Mabel Rader Lifetime Achievement Award…I sincerely appreciate John for having selected me as the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award and thank him for his contributions to our sport."

What are your views on Ben Weider’s legacy in the realm of bodybuilding? Let us know in the comments.