Mr. Olympia 2016: “The Rock” and Arnold Pump Up Las Vegas


Our own physique buff “Sammasseur” attends the biggest fitness event in history…

It could only happen in Las Vegas. Superstar Dwayne Johnson had just stepped up to the mic when a man in the audience shouted, “Take it off!”. Not missing a beat, “The Rock” retorted “Take it off? Yeah, there’s good weed in Las Vegas”.

If you think that Mr. Olympia is just a bunch of enormous guys posing like statues to music, you’re kind of right…and also very, very wrong. What was once a fringe sport has shot out in all directions and enveloped our culture. So much so that last Saturday at the Orleans Arena, bodybuilding, and physique competitions officially entered the realm of mainstream sports….once again.

Olympia

On hand to make a major announcement were two of the biggest (literally and figuratively) movie stars in the world – Arnold Schwarzenegger and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Right before this year’s Mr. Olympia winner was announced, Johnson took to the stage and shared the news that CBS Sports would be covering next year’s showdown.

Olympia

Olympia

Olympia

Arnold Schwarzenegger salutes the finalists from the front row…

Johnson’s own Seven Bucks Productions is behind a partnership that will bring Mr. Olympia back to American televisions. That says a lot about his faith in the future of bodybuilding and physique competition. Dwayne’s own stellar career was built (heh heh) on muscles, so this seems like a natural next step.

The appearances of The Rock and Arnold were just one big peak (heh heh again) in the weekend’s events. As usual, Olympia launched via a press conference which was open to the public. Hundreds of fans lined up for hours, hoping for a chance to get inside the Orleans Showroom and witness the 2016 line-up.

Olympia

Five-time champion Phil Heath came to defend his title (he ultimately won) against serious challengers like Shawn Rhoden and Dexter Jackson. Legendary 52-year-old Kevin Levrone returned after 13 years away (he eventually placed 16th, despite a huge outpouring of support).

Olympia

Olympia

That evening a “Meet The Olympians” was also free to the public, but the majority of fans waited until morning. That’s when thousands flooded the Las Vegas Convention Center for the Fitness and Performance Expo. During the next two days, they could get pics with the stars, show off their own athletic talents, cheer their favorites during daytime competitions…and potentially walk away with hundreds of dollars in fitness-related freebies. We’re talking proteins, fat burners, t-shirts, shaker bottles, hats, sunglasses, aminos, snack bars and more.

Olympia

Olympia

Every year (on Friday and Saturday), the South Hall of the Convention Center is a hotbed of fitness activity. Lesser categories of physique and fitness competition vie for attention with arm-wrestling, power lifting, boxing, karate, cross-fit, judo and model searches. Expo guests can show off individual feats of strength and endurance…or take each other on for prizes.

Olympia

Olympia

For many hard-bodied aficionados, the Fitness Expo is an opportunity to show off their well-earned physiques. Don’t be surprised to see women in very revealing sportswear and men walking around while shirtless. Working out inevitably leads the devoted to increased…er, “exposure” (or so I’ve been told).

Of course, all ages and body types are welcome. Couples, the elderly, families and those just starting out. Everyone is there to have a good time and learn how to get healthier and “look better naked.”

Olympia

Olympia

Olympia

Olympia

That brings us to Dwayne Johnson‘s announcement. The news that Mr. Olympia would be returning to television was greeted with cheers. This is especially great considering that live streaming during the past few years has been plagued with site crashes and other bugs. So now we’re back to the old (and better?) way of doing things.

In the hedonistic 80’s (when Arnold, Stallone, and Van Damme ruled the box office), ESPN was home to a wide variety of bodybuilding competitions and series. Fitness celebs like Gilad, Rick Valente, Cory Everson  and Kiana Tom rose to fame on ESPN with shows like BodyShaping, Flex Appeal, and Bodies In Motion. But as the 90’s took over the stars…and their oversized muscles…seemed to fade away.

Olympia

Olympia

Olympia

Olympia

These days, pop culture is overflowing with larger-than-life heroes like Captain America, Thor, Superman, The Hulk and of course…The Rock. And those 80’s action stars are back with a vengeance in the Expendables movies and Stallone as Rocky in Creed. Now that we’ve returned to the days of muscular role models in our cinemas, it’s only fitting that our TVs should host their real-life counterparts…and that the one and only Sin City should play home to the Titans of the Olympian.

Olympia

Olympia

Of course, if you’re like me, nothing compares to experiencing your favorite events in person. And you can, too, when Mr. Olympia 2017 returns to the Orleans Arena next September. That gives you plenty of time to hit the gym…and to pick out an extra suitcase for all the goodies you’ll be taking back with you.

Olympia

You can view the placings for all categories of competition and keep up-to-date on next year’s events by visiting the Mr. Olympia official website

Photos and Video: [Sammasseur]

4 thoughts on “Mr. Olympia 2016: “The Rock” and Arnold Pump Up Las Vegas

  1. This country has an obesity epidemic and its only getting worse. Any way they can promote a healthy lifestyle to the masses, the better.

    1. Indeed. Being a city of extremes, it only seems fitting that extreme fitness should have a home in Vegas. Nearly every major hotel has a fitness center and vegan/vegetarian menu options are becoming more common. The popularity of day clubs and pool parties might have an influence on this trend as well.

  2. Great read as always, wish I could have been there, was curious how Lavrone was going to look in person and on stage.

    1. Thanks, Gregster44! Levrone looked magnificent, at his age or any age. He was hoping that his “90s aesthetic” would appeal to 2016 judges, as he came in very streamlined and more in a Frank Zane-style than Jay Cutler-era mass. Alas, that wasn’t what they were looking for. In person he was soft-spoken and classy.

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