Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills region of South Dakota celebrates four revered American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. Their 60-foot granite faces are carved into the Mount.
If we had an Olympia version, entitled Mount Oympus, confined to just Olympia competitors, who would qualify? Here are our picks for a men and women’s version of Mount Olympus.
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The Golden Boy: Larry Scott 1965-‘66
Being the first at anything guarantees a place in history, like the first man on moon or first four-minute miler. Thus, by virtue of being the first Mr. Olympia in 1965, Larry Scott qualifies for his spot on the Mount.
There couldn’t have been a better candidate than Scott to commence the Olympia roll of honor. With his knockout physique – with arms and delts a standout – and blond dyed hair, he epitomized the California surfer dude: Nevermind he was naturally dark-haired and was born in Idaho, his was the quintessential west coast image Joe Weider wished to project, and a dynasty was created.
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Gene Mozee
The Chosen One: Arnold Schwarzenegger 1970-’75 & 1980
After finishing runner-up to Sergio Oliva at the 1969 Olympia, Austria’s Arnold Schwarzenegger won six straight titles (1970-’75) before returning in 1980 to take a controversial seventh.
No one did more than the native Austrian to push bodybuilding into the mainstream. From his charismatic performance in the groundbreaking Pumping Iron up, through his Hollywood superstar career, followed by being elected Governor of California, no bodybuilder ever attained such a high-level global profile. On top of that, he gives back to the sport selflessly by promoting his Arnold Classic franchise around the world.
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JOHANSEN KRAUSE
The Class Act: Lee Haney 1984-1991
Lee Haney packed nearly 250 pounds of classy muscle on his 5’11” frame, which enabled him to accumulate eight successive Sandows before retiring undefeated in 1991. But he was as much a star when not competing as he served as a shining example of how a life should be lived offstage and on.
The word “ambassador” is often used and abused but bodybuilding has never had a classier ambassador than Lee Haney. A committed family man, a deeply spiritual individual, and heavily involved in numerous charity projects, he’s a credit to his upbringing and his sport. Bottom line: Everybody loves Lee Haney.
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Chris Lund
The Big Nasty: Ronnie Coleman 1998-2005
From humble contest beginnings, Ronnie Coleman persevered to eventually win eight consecutive Olympia titles. In 2003 he rumbled onstage at 287 humungous and quality pounds, the highest bodyweight ever to take an Olympia crown.
In the process, he probably built the biggest fan base of any modern bodybuilder. The lines for his photo ops and wares were always the longest and the slowest to dissipate. He loved being Mr. Olympia perhaps more than any other holder and with his infectious spirit of fun, the sport loved him being Mr. Olympia.
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Bill Dobbins
The Delish One: Rachel McLish 1980 & 1982
1980 was the first year of the Ms. Olympia contest. What women’s bodybuilding needed at that point was a standard bearer, a beautiful, effervescent, striking female who was PR savvy. McLish was an individual with that most nebulous of talents – charisma. She was an “It” girl who would inspire and assume the mantle of role model and someone whom the camera loved, which in turn bequeathed an ability to generate magazine sales and put bums on seats.
In short, the women’s side of the sport needed their Arnold: someone who would eventually be instantly identifiable by first name only. Cue Rachel McLish! And the sport never looked back.
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Mike Neveux
The Unbeaten One: Cory Everson 1984-‘89
At 5’8” and 150 pounds, Cory Everson brought an impressively statuesque but still feminine persona to the Ms. Olympia. She had personality and great stage presence. Coached by husband Jeff Everson, she was unbeaten in six Olympia outings and many perceived her look being the limit on women’s muscularity. She retired after her 1989 victory and while competing, her crown never seemed under threat.
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Bill Dobbins
The Driven One: Lenda Murray 1990-’95, 2003 & 2004
Over a 14-year period, Lenda Murray won eight Olympia titles and became just about the most popular women bodybuilder the sport has known – only Rachel McLish rivaled her for that accolade. She graced countless covers and appeared in mainstream publications doing a variety of fashion shoots. She today remains a driving force in the sport due to her affiliation with Jake Wood’s Wings of Strength organization.
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Bill Comstock
The Enegiser Bunny: Iris Kyle 2004, 2006-2014
Iris Kyle stands alone as the only person – male or female – to win ten overall Olympia titles. It is surely a record that will never be broken –unless she breaks it herself. She brought to battle rock-hard, separated muscle that was proportionately distributed and at her best was unbeatable.
After initially retiring in 2014, she returns to Olympia competition this year at age 46, and it’s mind-boggling to consider how many victories she would have garnered if she hadn’t taken a hiatus six years ago. No argument, she is the most successful women bodybuilder ever.
