Check out some of these lesser-known facts below about the historic Mr. Olympia.
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Welcome to Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV, has been home to the Mr. Olympia competition since 1999, but the first Mr. O in 1965 was held more than 2,500 miles away, in New York’s Brooklyn Academy of Music.
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Larry the Legend
Larry Scott won the crown—literally—at the ’65 Mr. O. The late, great Joe Weider, founder of Muscle & Fitness and the Mr. Olympia, awarded Scott a bejeweled crown.
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New Beginnings
The Mr. Olympia contest name was inspired by Washington-based Olympia Brewing Company, founded in 1896 by Leopold Schmidt.
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The Blade
Dexter Jackson holds the record for most Olympia appearances with 16. Ronnie Coleman’s 15 is second.
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Per Bernal & Erica Schultz / M+F Magazine
The Rookie and The Vet
The youngest Olympia competitor was Harold Poole, who was 21 years, 9 months when he competed in 1965. The oldest, Albert Beckles, was 53 years, 2 months when he stepped onstage in 1991.
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One-man Show
1968 and 1971 featured only one contestant—Sergio Oliva and Arnold Schwarzenegger, respectively. Uh, they won.
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New York to Paris
Paris hosted the event in 1971, the first time the competition wasn’t held in New York.
Schwarzenegger’s 1970 victory made him the youngest winner ever (23 years, 2 months). Chris Dickerson became the oldest (43 years, 1 month) when he took home top honors in 1982.
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Mr. Olympia Legends
Most O Wins: Ronnie Coleman (1998–2005) and Lee Haney (1984–1991) each have eight Sandow trophies.
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The Magic Number is 13
Only 13 bodybuilders have actually won the Mr. Olympia over its 51-year history.
Be sure to catch all the action onstage with the Amazon live webcast, which will be available at amazon.com/olympia2017 or on the Amazon Video app, of the IFBB Pro League Olympia finals, September 15-16, from Orleans Arena. For tickets and the complete event schedule, go to mrolympia.com.
