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Bartlett's Bodybuilding Chronicles - Archived
As these (Archived) Chronicles may reference events from the past, we cannot guarantee the current accuracy of the information (such as
website links) contained within.
January 2008
Hi everyone, I want to welcome you all to my first column on the CBBF website. I want to thank Mark Smishek President of the CBBF for this opportunity to voice my often controversial opinions. I am sure most of you have followed my Canadian Corner column that has run for the past 25 years in MuscleMag International. Unfortunately, due to some editorial changes my column in MuscleMag has been cut to a couple of pages ant the content reduced to a few gossip items. From the feedback I have received it is obvious that Canadian Readers are not happy with the change. Unfortunately, we get very little major media coverage and MuscleMag was the only magazine that provided us with any. Still I am grateful to publisher Robert Kennedy for the opportunity and his many years of encouragement in keeping my column alive. Fortunately, MuscleMag has also covered the Canadian National Championships every year since 1978. That is really something when you consider that this year will mark the 30th anniversary of MuscleMag covering our Nationals. Thanks Bob, we appreciate your support and the opportunity to showcase our many great champions.
Through the pages of Musclemag I have tried to provide Canadian athletes some form of exposure to an international audience. It is very discouraging to see our Canadian champs having to stand in the shadows of our American neighbors’. I just hope that I live long enough to see a Canadian champion come along with the physique of Jay Cutler and the charisma of Arnold and dominate pro bodybuilding. This probably won’t happen, but we all can hope!
Currently, we are very far from this goal as I don’t see any Canadian currently possessing this kind of potential. In fact for the past several years we have not had any male Canadian’s even competing at the Olympia or the Arnold Classic. Our most successful female pros are bodybuilder Dayna Cadeau and fitness star Mindi O’Brien.
I appreciate the opportunity to voice my opinions which often are outspoken but I usually say what’s on my mind! Sadly, I know this outspoken attitude has cost me some friends. Throughout my 30 plus years of covering the scene I know I have rubbed some people the wrong way! But on the positive side, saying what you perceive as the truth can also make you a lot of friends.
I am still around, and obviously, people still like to read or listen to what I might say.
The purpose of this column is just that, to comment on how I see things in regards to Canadian Bodybuilding.
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L-R: President Mark Smishek, 2007 Canadian Pros Lou Joseph, Cindy Phillips, Nadia Nardi, Vince Wawyrk & promoter John Dirks
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First off, I want to sincerely thank everyone out there who supported me for the past several years by purchasing photo packages from me. I really appreciate your support and hope that you have been satisfied with the results of my work. I know it means a great deal to an athlete to have decent contest photos of yourself and I will continue to find ways to improve the quality of your contest images. I really enjoy meeting you guys so please take time to drop by the registration table at one of the shows this summer for a chat.
I have been asked many times why I support the IFBB and CBBF as there are many other organizations out there who would be very interested in me covering their athletes or shows. In fact I was approached a couple years ago at the Arnold Classic by the owner of one of these new and flashy organizations who advertise big things for their athletes. In fact I was promised just about anything I wanted with the exception of my own private jet to come over to them. I politely declined confirming my loyalty to the CBBF.
My involvement with the CBBF goes back to 1976 where I attended a loosely structured annual meeting headed by IFBB General Secretary Winston Roberts and then President of the Canadian Federation Syd Puklo. It was part of the IFBB World Championship weekend which also hosted the Canadian Nationals. I represented New Brunswick and felt privileged to be sitting with individuals from every province of Canada who shared the same passion for Canadian bodybuilding as I did. So here I am some 31 CBBF congress’s later still working and supporting the Canadian Bodybuilding Federation. Yes, I have been frustrated over the years with some of the decisions made by executive and have voiced my opinions. But in the end, when it is all said and done, and in spite of some questionable decisions, we are still a strong and functioning organization. Unlike our rivals we have a long and rich history of some fantastic national championships and many great champions. Canadian bodybuilding has provided me with the opportunity to meet many people, develope lifelong friendships, provide for some exciting travel and enjoy some fantastic competitions. Of course I can’t overlook the notoriety that I have enjoyed as a result of my years of covering the bodybuilding and fitness world.
Unfortunately, like everything else politics often rear their ugly head, and Canadian bodybuilding is no exception. I confess that I often have been caught in the middle of various political struggles. Sides often have to be taken and it is seldom that sitting on the fence accomplishes anything. Choices have to be made which often alienate and end some friendships. I regret that this has happened to me. Without mentioning any names I want to apologize to those who I may have alienated due to my decisions.
On our website you will see images of Canada’s winners and top athletes who deserve all the praise and notoriety they deserve. But often individuals in the background are neglected. Most athletes are not aware of what goes on behind the scenes in order for national events to be promoted or the the work involved in organizing a team to the world championships. This stuff doesn’t happen on its own and is the responsibly of individuals like CBBF President Mark Smishek, Treasurer John McLellan, Vice-President Karen Mclean and Chief Judge Debbie Karpinko.
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Vince Warwyk - 2007 Canadian Overall Winner
Photo by Garry
Bartlett.
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Often criticism has been directed towards these individuals, I include my self as one of those who have disagreed with them from time to time. However, it is easy to critize and find fault until you are faced with the same circumstances or challenges. We often take for granted our promoters, backstage workers, sponsors, fans, and national and provincial executives who sacrifice their time and work very hard at organizing bodybuilding in their particular provinces or nationally. Things just don’t happen by themselves, and it is these individuals who keep things going.
Sometimes it takes a behind the scenes look to appreciate what these individuals really do. As an example, at last year’s three national Championships I personally witnessed Mark Smishek, President of the CBBF along with other officials, sit at the registration table the day before the show from 12 noon right through until the weigh-in and registration was completed at 9 o’clock that evening. After a break to get a bite to eat, Mark then retired to his room and spent the next several hours preparing competitor lists and statistician sheets for officials and judges. When you have over 150 athletes entered, believe me, there is a ton of work to be done. Of course the next day is a real challenge that begins early in the morning until late at night. In this day long marathon the judging stats and proper placings have to be compiled, which again, is the responsibility of the CBBF executive. I can assure you that there is a lot of work involved with running a national federation, which most people are unaware of.
As a supporter of the CBFF I acknowledge that there are other organizations out there, but you can’t become an IFBB Pro competing in them. They have a long and well established history. Official affiliates in every province and a structured set of policies and rules that are pretty much the same across Canada. But don’t take my word for it; ask last year’s Overall Canadian Champion Vince Wawryk what he thinks of the CBBF.
With all the current economic problems going on in North America, it is still nice to go to the gym, train hard, forget the gloom and doom and get excited about bodybuilding. And 2008 is shaping up to another great year for Canadian bodybuilding & Fitness with national events scheduled to be held in Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Montreal. I really hope to see you there!
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I would appreciate hearing from you!
grbartlett@yahoo.com
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Garry Bartlett is a leading authority on Canadian bodybuilding, figure and fitness.
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