I have just completed an Inspection Tour of the venue site for the upcoming World Bodybuilding Championships "MR. UNIVERSE" and International Congress of the IFBB for 1975. These activities will be held in the City of Pretoria, South Africa, from the 4th to 11th of November, 1975.

South Africa is a hotbed of bodybuilding and has more than 400 first class Clubs operating on a regular basis. Many others, on a smaller level, are active in almost every town and village of that Country. The sport of bodybuilding, which represents physical fitness, has the full support of the highest authorities in South Africa. With their cooperation, bodybuilding is acknowledged as a sport on all levels and is much encouraged.

However, one problem that hampered International Bodybuilding Competitions in South Africa was the color-bar in athletic competition. Because the IFBB Congress has been assured both verbally and in writing that there would be no racial, political or religious discrimination against any members or any Countries, it was decided by the members of our Congress to hold our World Championships and International Congress in South Africa.

Athletes representing all various racial, religious and political beliefs participated without discrimination. Of note, 5th from the left, IFBB General Secretary Winston Roberts (Canada); to his left, IFBB Vice President for Europe Serge Nubret (France) - both key IFBB officials

Meeting with Dr. Piet Koornhof, Minister of Sport, I was highly impressed by this integrity, honesty and sportsmanship. He definitely assured me that the Government of South Africa would create no difficulties for the Championships and that ALL athletes would be welcomed and accommodated at the same hotel. A Special Letter regarding this was given to the IFBB.

Editor's Note: At the Opening Ceremony of the 1975 "Mr. Universe", Ben Weider's opening remarks were: "They said it could not be done", referring to the two-year struggle (against prejudice, political and government interference) to ensure that these Championships were hosted in accordance with the IFBB creed that "In sport, there are no limitations, no barriers of race, religion, politics or culture".

Organizations of a political nature masquerading as sports federations have undertaken a very strong and energetic campaign to discredit the IFBB because we are holding our international congress and world bodybuilding championships in the city of Pretoria, South Africa, this year.

They accuse our federation of supporting racism and apartheid in South Africa.

Letters of protest have been sent by these political organizations to the various governments, sports organizations and the United Nations. We think it is time that we outlined the policy of our federation so everybody will understand more clearly what we stand for, and why wer are going to South Africa to hold our championships.

IFBB President Ben Weider officially opening the 1975 Men's World Amateur Bodybuilding Championships

1. The IFBB is an international amateur sports federation that permits no political, racial or religious matters to interfere with our activities.

2. We are strong believers that the United Nations was established to solve political, racial and religious problems of the world, and that sports federations should only be interested in solving sport problems.

3. Our federation has 93 nations affiliated with it and it is impossible to become involved with the politics of each member nation. By recognizing a sports federation in a country, this does not imply that we recognize or accept the politics or the actions of that particular country. This only means that we recognize the sports federation of that country and will participate with them, if they adhere to and live up to the constitution and rules of our federation.

4. The decision to organize the world bodybuilding championships and international congress in South Africa was one that was taken by the majority of members of the IFBB delegates during our international congress that was held in Geneva, Switzerland in 1973. It was not a decision made by any one individual.

5. In 1972, we were also criticized heavily for deciding to make our Championships in Baghdad, Iraq. Many nations protested but we followed our sports code, and refused to give in and organized our championships in Baghdad, and they were a great success. We will not allow any political organizations, hiding behind the mantle of sport, to dictate to our federation what our sports policy should be; only our delegates can do this.

Ben Weider congratulating the three class winners, from left to right: Medium Class - Robby Robinson (USA), Tall Class and Overall Winner - Ken Waller (USA), and Short Class - Wilf Sylvester (England)

If we allowed our federation to become involved with politics, we would not only have to consider racial discrimination, but we would also have to consider political and religious discrimination.

We are sure you realize that this would mean that almost every nation in the world would be implicated in some way or another. Thus, each sports federation would become a miniature United Nations and political discussions and arguments would ensure without any sports competition.

The only way we can be honest with ourselves, and to fulfill our mandate as sport administrators, is to maintain the pure amateur sports code, and not to allow any outside influences to dictate to us, or to involve our federation in political, racial and religious discussion.

Editor's note: These messages by IFBB President Ben Weider were right inline with those of Lord Killanin, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), as he delivered his "Plea to End Prejudice".