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One of life’s little idiosyncrasies is that greatness so often rises from the ashes of ruin or as the result of seemingly insurmountable adversity. One such industry giant to rise to greatness is IFBB bodybuilding. Formed 63 years ago by Canadian brothers Joe and Ben Wieder, the International Federation of Bodybuilding (IFBB) was born of the need to side step attempts by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) to thwart the brothers dreams of doing bodybuilding in general justice as a legitimate, stand-alone sporting discipline.

In 1946 Joe and Ben had a planned a physique contest, Mr. Montreal, to showcase Canadian bodybuilding talent and promote the sport. They overcame considerable financial and logistic obstacles in getting the event successfully set up in the elite Monument National Theater, producing their own promotional material, convincing the local press to give the event good coverage and even booking newly crowned Mr. America, Alan Stephan as the guest poser. The response took everyone, the Wieder brothers included, by surprise. More than 80 bodybuilders entered and on the day the venue was packed to capacity.

Minutes before the show was due to start, a group of AAU representatives, who had previously sanctioned the contest, approached the contestants backstage and informed them that the event was not AAU sanctioned and that they would loose their amateur status if the participated. Joe and Ben’s handling of this unexpected turn of events was a glimpse of the vision and dynamic drive that would epitomise the brother’s business dealings throughout their association with the organisation. They decided there and then to form their own internationally representative federation dedicated to bodybuilding and bodybuilding alone. They then informed the befuddled contestants of this momentous decision and tactfully informed them that it would not be held against them if they chose to withdraw from the contest. Not one did, and so IFBB bodybuilding was born.

The early days of the IFBB were humble indeed as the brothers still shared accommodation in their parent’s home and were cash strapped to say the least. With little formal education and absolutely no knowledge of sport administration or business at a global level, they had their work cut out for them. It was during this period, perhaps more than any other, that their natural flair for forging business relationships and capitalising on opportunities stood them in good stead. For the next 18 years the brothers, in particular Ben traversed the globe promoting the federation and many extremely valuable and long lasting relationships, such as that with respected international sport personality Oscar State, were established during this period.

The watershed break through for the Wieders and the IFBB bodybuilding came in 1971 in Paris, France, when they announced their official General Association of International sports Federations (GAISF) recognition as official representative body for the sport of bodybuilding. This established the IFBB as the sole legitimate International Sport Governing Body (ISGB) for bodybuilding worldwide. From that point onwards the IFBB has gone from strength to strength, gaining more support and new member nations every year to the point where the federation represents 173 members ranging from the diminutive Norfolk Island to giants such as China.

Although the years have been marked by many high points and notable achievements, the big prize has always eluded the IFBB. That being IOC recognition of bodybuilding as an official Olympic sport. Although the IOC granted the IFBB provisional membership in 2000, bodybuilding has yet to be recognised as a fully fledged Olympic sport. Even so, the IFBB with Joe and Ben Wieder at its head has worked tirelessly to promote bodybuilding as a serious, legitimate sport and not the poor step-cousin to weightlifting as it was prior to the federation’s formation.

Sadly after over 60 years of dedicated service to the IFBB and bodybuilding in general, Ben Wieder passed away on the 17th of October, 2008. Joe, although not still an active part of the IFBB management, still plays an active role in the organisations activities. Bodybuilders across the globe owe a substantial debt of gratitude to the dedicated work of these two Canadian men who refused to back down and allow bodybuilding to take a backseat to weight sports. Their lifetime of commitment to IFBB bodybuilding has brought the sport the worldwide acceptance and respect it now rightly holds.