FROM THE CEO
BY NICK ORTON
was pretty underground from
the officials controlling the sport.
The irony is that being
underground has partly been
a driver for increasing the
popularity of the sport, because
young people will always want
something which is mysterious
and dark, in favour of acceptable
and sanitised. Ten years on and
I can see two things clearly.
One, there are so many more
people who are passionate
about the sport of bodybuilding.
Two, the main media still sell
their stories on negatives in
the UK and our successes are
rarely published or recognised
on TV and mainstream channels.
BODYBUILDING
IS THE UK’S
NATIONAL SPORT
ALL HAIL BRITISH
bodybuilding because we are
the biggest market in Europe and
we seriously outgun much larger
countries in competitions.
British Bodybuilding is alive,
well, and consistently producing
world class physiques across
all classes. It is an incredible
achievement that our small nation
continues to perform so well.
We represent well internationally,
sending top class athletes right
around the world to showcase
the depth of talent that we have
in the UK. It’s a bold statement,
but surely bodybuilding IS our
NATIONAL SPORT…we are
damn good at it.
6
FLEX | JANUARY 2018
So why is it that the mainstream
press in the UK love to hate
bodybuilders? Why does the
death of a bodybuilder
automatically get linked to drug
misuse and make the headlines,
when the crowning of new world
champions goes unreported by
mainstream media? It’s a bizarre
approach to a sport which is
loved by so many - and the love
for bodybuilding has never been
greater than today.
Ten years ago, when I started
BodyPower, there was a
stranglehold on competitors,
where newcomers were
discouraged from joining what
The UK isn’t alone in its approach,
although it’s pretty much the
worst nation for demonising its
sporting elite. Compared with
nations in Asia, the contrast
couldn’t be more different – for
example, in India, bodybuilders
are worshiped, treated like
celebrities, honoured for their
achievements, and rightly so.
I spend a lot of time in India with
BodyPower, and I can see that
recognising bodybuilding
successes has been massively
positive for the overall fitness
of the nation. It’s a simple formula
which the UK really need to get
a grip on. The best in any sport
are revered by fans/ followers,
and are influential because of
this. It makes sense to me to
recognise those at the top of
their sport, so that they can
influence more. This is how
you change a nation and if done
correctly, can be massively
beneficial to millions, just as it
has been in India. Rather than
jump on the stereotype of
‘meathead’, doesn’t it make sense
to focus on the commitment
required to get into show
condition, and to look at the
discipline required to train
and diet.
Here at FLEX we will continue
to recognise the best, reward
achievements, and encourage
the next generation…it’s all
about you.
All hail our national sport
and the British Bodybuilder,
the best in the world.