Why is bodybuilding not in the Olympics?

Bodybuilding is a sport that has been out there for a long time. The dates even go back to ancient Greece. However, bodybuilding is not included in the Olympics and there are many reasons for this. Let's look at the factors that are keeping bodybuilding away from one of the world's biggest sporting events.

Joe Weider, also referred to as the father of bodybuilding, co-founded the International Bodybuilders Federation in 1965. He was the one who founded Mr. Olympia, Ms. Olympia, and many other bodybuilding events, giving bodybuilders a platform to showcase their physique on a national and international level.

Despite Weider's relentless attempts to make bodybuilding a part of the Olympics, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) never budged. Let's find out why.

Bodybuilding has a huge amount of steroid use

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has a strict policy against drug use. On the other hand, bodybuilding is a sport that requires steroids to bring out the best physique, showcasing enhanced muscle growth. Bodybuilding shows are all about muscular men and women standing and flexing their muscles on stage.

They need to bring out an aesthetically pleasing physique along with a good amount of muscle size, shape, proportion, dryness, and vascularity. Insufficient carb loading, improper oiling, and disproportionate muscles can negatively impact a bodybuilder's score on the stage.

To ensure fairness, the IOC always checks the athletes for any PED (performance-enhancing drug) usage. If any athlete is found to be taking drugs, they are instantly eliminated. That's why bodybuilding cannot be part of the Olympics.

Is bodybuilding a subjective sport?

Yes, bodybuilding is a subjective sport, which is one of the reasons the IOC has not included it in the Olympics. Each individual has a different opinion about the physique along with many other factors. Bodybuilders are judged based on their emotional response, pose, and presentation.

The biggest difference comes at the time of scoring, as each judge has different requirements in mind, which can have a huge impact on the results.

How do bodybuilders earn money?

Bodybuilders compete at the Mr. Olympia competition where they can win up to $400,000 by winning the championship. But that's not the only contest bodybuilders can compete in. There are several other events, and the bodybuilding industry is evolving with each passing day. The Arnold Classic has increased its prize pool to $500,000 this year. Other bodybuilding shows like the Dubai Pro are going to increase their prize pools starting next year.

Also, endorsements are one of the primary sources of income for a bodybuilder. They often sign multi-million-dollar deals with brands and earn a fortune. After staying in the industry for a long time, many bodybuilders often start their own supplement brands to earn money and give their fans the best quality products.

The eight-time Mr. Olympia, Ronnie Coleman, is one of the best examples for this. Coleman started his brand in 2011 and now has a net worth of $2 million (according to Celebrity Net Worth).

Another good example is the seven-time Mr. Olympia Arnold Schwarzenegger. He has showcased his dominance in almost every industry, including Hollywood and real estate. His net worth is around $750 million (according to Celebrity Net Worth).