Joe
Weider’s Olympia Fitness and Performance Weekend celebrates its 50th year as
the most prestigious event in the world of bodybuilding and fitness September
18-20 at the Orleans Arena.
For
the ninth consecutive year, the Mr. Olympia contest — an annual bodybuilding
competition sanctioned by the International Federation of Bodybuilders
Professional League (IFBB Pro League) — will take center stage at the Orleans
Arena. With iconic past champions such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lee Haney,
Ronnie Coleman and Las Vegas’s own Jay Cutler, this is the pinnacle of the bodybuilding
sport. The whopping $1,100,000 in total prize money is the all-time highest
single purse in the competition’s history.
For
the first time since 1984, the Olympia competitions will be broadcast on NBC
Sports Group. On October 18 at 10:30 a.m. PDT and repeated on October 25 at
2:30 p.m. PDT, NBCSN will air two 90-minute Olympia Weekend specials.
More
than 100 athletes are expected to compete, with the greatest bodybuilders in
the world headlining the star-studded weekend. Three-time defending champion
Phil “The Gift” Heath will go for his fourth consecutive win, but standing in
his way are a host of formidable challengers, led by Kai “The Predator” Greene,
who placed runner-up the past two years. Greene is hungrier than ever to
dethrone the champ but also knocking on the door is last year’s third-place
finisher, Dennis “The Big Bad” Wolf. Shawn “Flexatron” Rhoden, Dexter “The
Blade” Jackson, Roelly “The Beast” Winklaar, Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay and
more round out top-notch lineup.
On
Thursday, September 18, fans will get to meet the sport’s superstars at Meet
the Olympians, located at the Orleans Arena Concourse Level. VIP ticket holders
and Platinum Members will be granted early entry at 7:00 p.m. Open to the
general public free of charge at 8:00 p.m.
Friday,
September 19 – Fitness, Bikini, Ms. Olympia Finals and Mr. Olympia Judging – 7
p.m.
Reserved
seating - $65 to $215
Saturday,
September 20 – Figure Olympia Finals, Olympia 212 Showdown and Mr. Olympia
Finals – 7 p.m.
Reserved
seating - $80 to $265
Tickets
can be purchased by calling the Orleans Arena Box Office at 702.284.7777 or by
visiting www.orleansarena.com.
