IFBB INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS MEETING
Congress Hall, Mezhdunaronaya Hotel, Moscow, Russia
Sunday, November 7, 2004

ITEM

DESCRIPTION

ACTION

I

Rafael Santonja, Executive Assistant to the President and Chair, officially opened the meeting at 9:30am.

Rafael presented brief introductory remarks and welcomed the members of the Executive Council and Congress (see Annex A & B for list of members present).

IV

Adoption of the Minutes of the previous Congress meeting, held in Mumbai, India.

Adopted

V

The IFBB President’s Report was placed into the record.

Rafael summarized the report, noting that President Weider emphasized the following topics:

VI

REPORT of the IFBB Executive Assistant to the President

Rafael Santonja reminded the members to remain persistent in their efforts to promote a positive image of the sport within the Olympic Movement and to continue their efforts at ensuring the participation of bodybuilding within IOC recognized Regional Games.

Rafael discussed the importance of TV and stated that our World Championships can be made available to all National Federations on DVD or other formats for re-broadcasting at the national level.

Rafael reported record participation throughout 2003/2004, particularly at the World Women’s Championships in Santa Susanna, Spain, and at the World Juniors & Masters Championships in Opava, Czech Republic.

Rafael provided some history on the concept of HEIGHT vs WEIGHT categories e.g. people that train with weights but not for competitive bodybuilding as currently practiced.

HEIGHT (IN CM) – 100 = WEIGHT (IN KG) + ALLOWANCE

EXAMPLE: 170 cm – 100 = 70 kg + up to 2 kg allowance

A comprehensive study is now underway by the European Bodybuilding & Fitness Federation (EBFF), the findings of which will be presented at the next meeting of the IFBB Executive Council and Congress.

Adopted

Rafael reported that the IFBB Executive Council had decided to change the long-form name of the IFBB to "International Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness". He stated that the IFBB logo and the acronym "IFBB" would remain unchanged.

Rafael encouraged the National and Continental federations to incorporate fitness into their name since the IFBB controls both bodybuilding and fitness sport disciplines.

VIII

The IFBB General Secretary’s Report was placed into the record.

Adopted

IX

REPORTS of the IFBB Vice Presidents

The Chair gave each Vice President the opportunity to present a brief report on the activities within their area of concern. In general, the sport continues to experience worldwide growth and development.

Albert Busek, IFBB Vice President for Europe, reported on the preparations for the 2005 Duisburg World Games, at which the IFBB will participate at its 7th Games since the first in 1981 (Santa Clara).

Javier Pollock, IFBB Vice President for the Caribbean, reported on the system of doping passports used in the Central America and the Caribbean.

Paul Chua, DSM, IFBB Vice President for Asia, reported on the inclusion of bodybuilding as an official medal sport in the Asian Games; the need for judging transparency; and the success of the new ABFF website.

Paul Graham, IFBB Vice President for Oceania, reported on Russia’s first international participation in the 1988 Men’s World Championships in Brisbane, Australia.

Philip Hope, IFBB Vice President for the South Pacific, reported on the South Pacific Games.

Dr. Eng. Adel Fahim El Sayed, IFBB Vice President for Africa reported on his continuing efforts to develop bodybuilding across the entire continent of Africa.

Malih Alaywan, IFB Vice President for the Middle East, reported on the opening of a new Weider gym in Lebanon.

Rafael thanked the Vice Presidents for their hard work, dedication, commitment and support.

Adopted

XI

REPORT of the IFBB Judges Committee

Rafael Santonja reported continual improvements in judging worldwide due to increased numbers of seminars, such as the IFBB/EBFF International Judges, Coaches & Trainers Course, as well as the comprehensive monitoring of Judging Accuracy Scores at the Continental and World levels.

Rafael also reported that the IFBB was assessing a new computer-scoring program, which will be in use for these Championships.

Adopted

XII

REPORT of the IFBB Technical Committee

Tony Blinn presented a brief report on improvements at www.ifbb.com over the past year, which included new sites for the IFBB Professional Division and the IFBB Olympia Weekend.

Adopted

XIII

REPORT of the IFBB Women’s Committee

The chair presented a brief report on the increased growth of Women's Fitness and Women's Body Fitness, particularly at the Junior levels.

A new category of Women's Body Fitness was implemented at the recent Juniors & Masters World Championships - Master Women Body Fitness.

Adopted

XIV

REPORT of the IFBB Medical Commission

Prof. Dr. Friedhelm Beuker presented a brief report highlighting the IFBB’s efforts towards anti-doping.

Comments were also made regarding the use of Synthol and methods to detect such use e.g. ultrasound.

Prof. Dr. Eduardo H. De Rose presented a brief overview of doping controls within the IFBB during the 2003/2004 competitive seasons.

Adopted

World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code

Tony Blinn presented a report on the WADA Code.

The IFBB has conducted doping controls since 1986, following the Olympic Movement Anti-Doping Code (OMADC), using only IOC accredited laboratories.

The IFBB has had the good fortune of being guided by highly respected Special Advisors to its Medical Commission; such as the late Prof. Dr. Manfred Donike and currently, Prof. Dr. Eduardo H. De Rose. Our Anti-Doping Program has received praise from Juan Antonio Samaranch, Immediate Past President International Olympic Committee, and the late Prince Alexandre de Merode, Chairman IOC Medical Commission.

Shortly after becoming a Signatory to the WADA Code (November 12, 2003), the IFBB began the process of amending its Anti-Doping Program to conform to the Code.

With the assistance and guidance of Mr. Tom Dielen, Director WADA European Office, the IFBB Anti-Doping Program is being evaluated and amended to conform to the Code.

The IFBB anticipates its new Anti-Doping Code will become effective January 1, 2005.

XVI

Franco Fassi commented positively on the success of HEIGHT vs. WEIGHT categories in competitions throughout Italy.

XVII

REPORT of the IFBB Professional Division

Tony Blinn presented a brief report on the activities of the Professional Division.

Adopted

XVIII

PROPOSITIONS

PROPOSITION #1

That, for Women’s Fitness, the number of categories be reduced from three (3) to two (2) with the following height limits:

Adopted

PROPOSITION #2

That, for Women’s Fitness, the length of the Prejudging fitness routine be increased to 90 seconds.

Note: Currently, the length of the Prejudging fitness routine is 60 seconds (90 seconds for the Finals).

Adopted

PROPOSITION #3

That, for Women’s Fitness, only the top ten (10) finalists from Round 1 (bikini) be permitted to advance to Round 2 (routine).

Note: Currently, the top fifteen (15) finalists are permitted to advance from Round 1 to Round 2.

Rejected

PROPOSITION #4

That a National Federation must provide on the Final Entry Form the names of all judges (including test judges) who it nominates to officiate at the competition, failing which the individual will not be allowed to judge.

Adopted

PROPOSITION #5

That the IFBB adopt a Relaxed Dress Code that allows, where applicable, the wearing of a golf or polo shirt with IFBB logo on the left-breast (style, color and design to be determined) in lieu of the Formal Dress Code (dress shirt, tie and jacket).

*The IFBB intends that the Relaxed Dress Code be permitted for IFBB Judges, Expediters and Other Officials charged with working the event and that it be implemented by decision of the onsite IFBB Chief Official on a case-by-case basis (e.g. Prejudging in tropical climates or hot conditions).

Adopted

PROPOSITION #6

That, for Men’s & Women’s Bodybuilding, the Prejudging and Finals procedures be amended as follows:

Adopted

XIX

2005 IFBB Men’s World Amateur Bodybuilding Championships & IFBB International Congress

Shanghai, China, end-October or beginning-November 2005

XX

Allocation of Championships

Pamela Kagan discussed the 2005 IFBB Amateur Calendar of Events.

XXI

Rafael advised the delegates that the official list of top 5 finalists would be published at the end of the Congress.

XXII

The Chair adjourned the meeting at 12:30pm.