2024 Olympia Weekend Kicks Off With Annual Press Conference

2024 Olympia Weekend Kicks Off With Annual Press Conference

The wait is finally over, and the 60th Olympia has begun in Las Vegas, Nevada. The weekend’s festivities commenced with the traditional Olympia 2024 press conference, where champions and top contenders from all 11 divisions gathered to discuss their thoughts, prep, and chances of winning their division’s world championship. The event was packed with over 1,500 fans, leaving some to stand as they eagerly listened to the bodybuilding legends and hopefuls share their insights.

Ladies First

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The press conference began with a unique twist, as representatives from all six women’s divisions took the stage first to answer questions from a panel of bodybuilding insiders, including Fouad Abiad, John Romano, Dennis James, and Terrick El Guindy, as well as Hall of Famers Shawn Ray and Lenda Murray. The ladies representing their divisions were Andrea Shaw, Angela Yeo, Sarah Villegas, Natalia Abraham Coelho, Missy Truscott, Taylor Learmont, Cydney Gillon, Jessica Reyes Padilla, Ashley Kaltwasser, Lauralie Chapados, Elisa Pecini, Angelica Teixeira, Francielle Mattos, Isabelle Nunes, Elisa Alcantara, and Eduarda Bezerra.

Four-time Ms. Olympia Shaw generated significant buzz by vowing to redeem herself after losing to Yeo at the 2024 Rising Phoenix. Shaw shared that she stayed in Arizona for seven weeks, changing coaches to make the necessary adjustments to reclaim her title. For added motivation, she had Bob Cicherillo announce, "And five-time Olympia champion."

Conditioning will not be an issue for me this time, she declared. Yeo was dedicated to conveying she was prepared to prove herself worthy of the Olympia crown.

One of the most inspiring stories of the year is Truscott’s return to the stage after her injury at the 2023 Olympia. She was excited and proud to return, but she is here for a reason – to win.

I put everything into the rehab process. I had a goal in mind, she emphasized. We are guaranteed a new Bikini Olympia champion thanks to Jennifer Dorie opting not to compete this year. Kaltwasser, a three-time champion, has her sights set on a fourth title as well as her own record, 50 career wins, extending her own record.

Every year I get a little better, she said. If I win, it would be 50 on the 60th. There were some entertaining exchanges between the top Wellness competitors as well. Three-time Olympia champion Francielle Mattos sat alongside top contenders Isabelle Nunes, Alcantara Bezerra, all of whom claimed they were the future of the division. Mattos quickly shut down that talk, stating, You are the future, but I am the present, and I am still here.

Men Take Their Turns

Next, the men’s division took the stage, featuring Derek Lunsford, Hadi Choopan, Brandon Curry, Andrew Jacked, Samson Dauda, Shaun Clarida, Keone Pearson, Chris Bumstead, Wesley Vissers, Ramon Rocha Querioz, Urs Kalecinski, Ryan Terry, Erin Banks, Harold Kelley, and Karol Milewski. The last two Mr. Olympia champions, Lunsford and Choopan, both believe they will claim the Golden Sandow Trophy, the symbol of the 60th Olympia.

Lunsford made his strategy known immediately – his back poses will serve him well. "Lights out from the back, baby!" Choopan countered by stating this will be the best version of his physique to date. Samson Dauda and Andrew Jacked were both making their presence known simply by sitting in the chairs. Jacked’s statement was direct and to the point. "There will be some hearts breaking this weekend."

Almost no one has spoken about Curry’s chances, and he was appreciative of the silence. "Being quiet and off the radar helps me bring the shock factor. I will be ready to rumble." Five-time Classic Physique Olympia champion Chris Bumstead was not only confident in his chances but feels his opponents are not as confident in theirs. "They all say they will win, but I look in their eyes, and I don’t think even they believe it, he stated with a loud cheer from the crowd. They are all fighting for second place."

Conclusion

The 2024 Olympia has officially kicked off, and the excitement is palpable. With an array of talented bodybuilders vying for the top spot in each division, the competition is expected to be fiercer than ever. As the action begins on Friday, March 11th, with the Prejudging rounds for Fitness, 212, Figure, Women’s Physique, Ms. Olympia, and Wellness at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

FAQs

• When does the 2024 Olympia start?
  • The event begins on Friday, March 11th, with the Prejudging rounds for Fitness, 212, Figure, Women’s Physique, Ms. Olympia, and Wellness at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
• Where can I watch the 2024 Olympia?
  • If you are not in Las Vegas, head over to olympiaproductions.com to order the 2024 Olympia pay-per-view and catch all the action live as it happens.