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The World's First Bodybuilders were
Ancient Greeks
The sculptural harmony of the symmetrical body,
produced when muscles grow in confusion in response to heavy
weights, remains the essential element of a modern-day bodybuilder's
success. Pumpin' iron takes tremendous physical effort, to be sure,
but it also takes great intelligence and mental fortitude to ensure
the magical synergy of each and every muscle group. Bodybuilders
today are judged according to these standards of balance and
harmony, so their training, and the muscular development that it
stimulates, must strike a delicate, harmonious balance between size
and aesthetics. The body must be trained to show that each body part
has visible delineations, lines of symmetry and perfect proportions,
just as the ancient Greeks envisioned. The best bodybuilders - those
who achieve that elusive
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8. The
attitude of the human body established by Polykleitos in his
superb Doryphoros (the Spear-bearer) made about 450 B.C.,
which came to be known as "the canon" (=Norm) had been a
landmark in the history of art.
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balance between mass and aesthetics - know and
understand their musculature as intimately as marathoners know their
aerobic capacity; basketball players, their explosiveness; figure
skaters, their balance.
The Greek body ideal looked remarkably similar
to the physiques of athletes who today compete on bodybuilding
stages the world over. Greek art even showed citizens employing
precursors of modern-day dumbbells to sculpt their bodies, and Greek
heroes such as Atlas and Hercules could be considered progenitors of
modern-day bodybuilding champions.
Le Baron Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the
modern Olympics, said "D'abord la culture physique", which,
translated, means "First of all is physical culture". As he defined
it, physical culture meant exercising to create a well-developed
body. In other words, bodybuilding.
Highlights from the IFBB's Petition for
participation seeking Inclusion of the sport of Bodybuilding in the
Games of the XXVIII Olympiad. Submitted by the IFBB to the
organizing committee for the Olympic games "Athens
2004".
read
from the beginning...
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"In Sport, there
are no limitations, no barriers of race, religion, politics or
culture. In sport we are in touch with each other. Bodybuilding is
important for nation building".
Ben Weider - IFBB
President |
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Pavlos Mentis |
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The 8-time Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates presented by Jordan
Leventelis with a special Award for his support towards bodybuilding
in Greece. |
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Activities and Contests'
Reports
GFBB's
activities are published through many cooperating magazines...
Activities and Contests'
Reports
GFBB's activities are published through many
cooperating magazines and newspapers, such as FLEX magazine (the
official IFBB magazine in USA and worldwide), "Myiki Diaplasi" of Larissa
(Central Greece), "Police Union Newspaper" etc. January 29, 2000 - Olympic Stadium, Athens
1st
National Bodybuilding Championship of Police Officers' Athletic Union
Many competitors arrived from all over Greece to
support GFBB. Many important police officials attended that championship
and among them there were:
- Mr. Papadimitropoulos, Lieut. General and
Second Chief of National Police Department.
- Mr. Makryaleas, Chief of
East Attica Police Dept. and President of the "Police Officers Athletic
Union".
- Mr. Koukorikos, Gen. Secretary of the above Union
- Mr.
Koutsianas, Treasurer of above Union.
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1st Police Officers'
Championship |
April 1st, 2000 - Stadium of Peace and Friendship,
Athens
13th Greek National Bodybuilding Championship The above contests were very successful and two of
the major TV channels - MEGA and Antenna - were on-site and gave full
publicity of our contests the same day. Before the event, the federal
lawyer informed the audience about the new actions made by GFBB to attract
new member-athletic guilds, and how these new members should comply with
the new athletic law. The best athletic guild was "Health and Power" and
its president Mr. Leventelis, was presented with the Golden Award for
gaining: One Golden Medal - Three Silver Medals - One Bronze Medal
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Jordan Leventelis, president of Health and Power guild,
clutches the special award.
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From left runner-up Fotini Bitrou and fitness winner
Evangelia Metaxa (above right)
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Finalists in the light-heavyweight category (above
left) |
May 6, 2000 - Bor, Yugoslavia
IX Bodybuilding
& Fitness IFBB Balkan Championships for Men and Women Our female athlete Evangelia Metaxa, who participated
in 13th National Championship, placed 3rd in Fitness Category. October 21, 2000 - Closed Municipal Gym, City of
Larissa
"Achilleia 2000", 1st Territorial Bodybuilding
Championships |
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Gems Of Ancient Greek
Wisdom |
"No pain, no gain"
Sophokles
"A
sound mind in a sound body"
Socrates
"The mistakes, just like grammatical ones,
cannot be erased by Holy Water"
Diogenes the
Cynic
(400-325BC)
"Instead of other curse, wish luxury upon the
children of your enemies"
Antisthenes the first of
Cynics
(445-360 B.C.)
"I know one thing, that I know
nothing"
Socrates
(322-384 B.C.)
"As the rust destroys steel, thus the envious
are destroyed by their own passion"
Antisthenes
(445-360 B.C.)
"Know thyself"
Socrates
(322-384 B.C.)
"We must pay attention to what our enemies say,
because they first acknowledge our mistakes"
Antisthenes
(445-360
B.C.)
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Gems Of Ancient Greek
Wisdom |
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"Retaining is more difficult than acquiring
belongings"
Demosthenes
(384-322 B.C.)
"All people wish to acquire
knowledge"
Aristotle
(384-322 B.C.)
"Books are the medicine of
mind"
Democritus
(470-350 B.C.)
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Gems Of Ancient Greek
Wisdom |
"When training yourself, try to make exercises resulting to a
healthier than
physically stronger body"
Isocrates
"Health is more valuable than
wealth"
Hippocrates
(460-377 B.C.)
"You have better being poor and healthy man
than wealthy and weak one"
Euripides
(485-408 B.C.)
"Time is the best
councilor"
Menandros
(342-291 B.C.)
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Pavlos Mentis - at
Melacca |
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GFBB had organized - in cooperation with "Diaplasi",
the athletic guild of Larissa (member of GFBB) - the "Achilleia 2000" the
First Territorial Bodybuilding contests, sanctioned by A.O.L. (Athletic
Organization of Larissa) and the Municipality of the City of Larissa. The
"Achilleia" contest was named after the great ancient hero Achilles,
native of Larissa region, whose deeds - during the Trojan War - are
described within the epic poem "Iliad" of the Great Ancient Greek Poet
Homeros. The Mayor of Larissa, Mr. Tzanakoulis, attended these contests
and he presented the category winners with the golden medal awards. In his
capacity as Mayor, the "Achilleia" contests has become now an institution
and will be held, each year, in the City of Larissa.
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The Mayor of Larissa, Mr. J. Tzanakoulis is a bodybuilding
fan and warm supporter. Here with Leventelis couple after attending
the "Achilleia" contests. |
November 5th, 2000 - Salle Metropole, Lausanne,
Switzerland
IFBB European Men's Championship GFBB was represented by our athlete Pavlos Mentis,
who was the runner-up of middle weight category ( 23 athletes
participating), winning the silver medal. His Excellency Juan Antonio
Samaranch, President of International Olympic Committee, attended these
contests and he was very much impressed by the high level of athletes'
performance. Totally, 119 athletes had participated from 34 countries.
November 19th, 2000 - Melakka Sports Venue Site,
Malaysia
IFBB 54th World Men's Amateur Bodybuilding
Championships Our athlete Pavlos Mentis was the runner-up and the
silver medal winner of middle weight category (among 27 high-level
athletes)! During the International IFBB Congress, Mrs. Penny Leventeli,
Gen. Secretary GFBB, was presented by Ben Weider, IFBB President, with the
IFBB Golden Medal and Ribbon for her devotion and contribution to the
development of Bodybuilding in Greece. Totally, 65 countries participated
with 145 athletes. Pavlos Mentis was selected by IFBB to participate
in the next World Games 2001 (August 18-19) , in Akita, Japan.
December 3, 2000 - Larissa, Greece
Dorian Yates
Nutrition and Training Seminar The owner of "Katselos Gym" Mr. Panagiotis Katselos
in cooperation with "Diaplasi"- the athletic guild of Larissa - organized
the above seminar. Dorian Yates, Mr. Olympia, had been invited as Special
guest and he informed the audience about sport nutrition, advanced
supplements and sophisticated training methods. Ernie Taylor posed down to
fans' great satisfaction. The GFBB officials, Mr. Jordan Leventelis, Mrs.
Penny Leventeli, GFBB judges, coaches and athletes were also invited and
attended that very successful seminar. December 9, 2000 - Marcinelle, Belgium
IFBB
Grand-Prix de Charleroi XII GFBB's athletes Manolis Karamanlakis lined up 5th and
Socratis Koukoulis ended in the 9th place. January 19, 2001 - Athens, Greece
GFBB
interview in New Tempo TV Channel Mrs. Penny Leventeli, Gen. Secretary GFBB was
accompanied by the athletes Sokratis Koukoulis, Manolis Tzinidis, (who
posed down) and informed TV spectators about bodybuilding, IOC
recognition, contests and anti-doping policy.
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