Arnold Schwarzenegger formed rivalries with the top bodybuilders of his time early in his career. He came to America in 1968, and by 1969, Frank Zane and Sergio Oliva had already become his rivals. While Schwarzenegger invited Zane to train and learn from him, his rivalry with Oliva didn’t turn into friendship. In fact, after the Austrain Oak beat The Myth in the 1970 Mr. Olympia, it turned bitter.

While the two Mr. Olympia winners respected one another as competitors, they left no stone unturned to gain the upper hand. After the three-time Mr. Olympia lost to the Austrian in 1970, he looked to avenge the loss in 1971. However, that year, the Cuban got hit with a suspension. Earlier this year, while chatting with Flex Lewis, Sergio Oliva Jr. revealed riveting details about the actions of his late father that led to the suspension.

Sergio Oliva’s attempt to intimidate Arnold Schwarzenegger backfired

While appearing on seven-time 212 Mr. Olympia Flex Lewis’s Straight Outta The Lair podcast, Sergio Oliva Jr. revealed why his father got suspended. While talking about Lee Priet’s suspension, Oliv Jr. said his father was the “reason that rule was invented.” In 1971, the founder of the Mr. Olympia contest, Joe Weider, decided that any bodybuilder who competed for a different federation would be allowed to compete in the IFBB Mr. Olympa.

However, Oliva Jr. claimed his father’s actions at a guest posing angered Weider, and that’s why he created the rule. During the early 70s, NABBA was the biggest competitor of the IFBB. Hence, nearly all bodybuilders competed in both federations. However, at guest posing in Mexico, The Myth attempted to intimidate the newly viewed Mr. Olympia, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

“My dad too he definitely went out of his way to try and disrespect Arnold and Joe Wieder… he jumps off stage and starts posing in Arnold and Joe’s face, like right in their face in the crowd. And right then Joe makes a rule,” said Oliva Jr. However, Flex Lewis insinuated Schwarzenegger might have influenced Weider to make the rule. Oliva Jr. replied that might have been the case “cause my dad beat him.” However, that might not be the entire story.

Caught on the wrong side of a power struggle

While Joe Weider might’ve felt disrespected, Sergio Oliva wasn’t the only bodybuilder to get banned from the 1971 Mr. Olympia. Every elite bodybuilder who competed in the NABBA in 1971, got barred from competing in the Mr. Olympia. While Oliva Jr. or Flex Lewis didn’t touch on the subject, the IFBB and NABBA were involved in a power struggle.

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While the IFBB wanted to become the top federation, the NABBA had a richer history. In fact, when Mr. Olympia started, the NABBA Mr. Universe was the premier show in bodybuilding. However, Weider wanted to change that, and the 1971 ban was one way to make the athletes exclusively compete for the IFBB.

What do you think about The Myth’s son’s take on the 1971 Mr. Olympia ban? Do you agree? Tell us in the comments.

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