It’s here. After months of buildup, the 2007 Olympia Weekend began with the athlete meetings at the Orleans Arena tonight, September 26. In all, 86 athletes will be competing over Friday and Saturday, with prejudging for women’s bodybuilding, fitness and figure at the Las Vegas Convention Center South Hall on Friday at 11 a.m. On the men’s side, all but one competitor was in attendance as numbers for the contest were handed out. That one, Paco Bautista, who qualified by way of his victory at this past weekend’s Santa Susannah Grand Prix in Spain, was expected to arrive by 9:30. Meanwhile, reigning Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler showed up fashionably late after a video interview with Bodybuilding.com’s Bob Cicherillo. Cutler had plenty of time to spare, however, as he received the 24th and final number for the men’s contest. Standing just two spots away from Cutler, with Will Harris in between, will be competitor number 22, eight-time Mr. O Ronnie Coleman, when they take the stage for the first lineup Friday evening. Notable moments from the meeting were Cutler’s late arrival, Vince Taylor’s last-minute decision to enter the contest after originally pulling out with a back injury that severely hampered his training, and Coleman’s comments on what he has said will be his last appearance on the Olympia stage. Things really start to get interesting tomorrow, September 27, with the Olympia Press Conference at 1 p.m., which will be held at the Showroom at the Orleans Hotel. Stay tuned to flexonline.com throughout the weekend for extensive coverage of Olympia Weekend from Las Vegas, and make sure to check out the forums for behind-the-scenes action and commentary.
For broadcast-quality DVD coverage of the Olympia contests, visit www.IFBBTV.com
