The Golden Era of bodybuilding was not only the time of legendary bodybuilders like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Frank Zane, but it was also a time of a lot of controversy. Zane and Schwarzenegger were neck to neck during the 1980 Olympia. The Mr. Olympia of the 80s was pretty controversial. People in the bodybuilding world still talk about the happenings of those days.

In a conversation with Michael Stein, the three-time Mr. Olympia winner expressed the secrets to his success. He also talked about the decision that was taken in the 1980 and 82 Olympia.

Frank Zane exposes favoritism

While talking to Michael Stern the God of Aesthetics revealed something that happened in the 1980 and 1982 Olympias and shouldn?t have happened. During the 1980 Mr. Olympia, Frank found himself standing beside Arnold in the pre-judging round. Zane was ready with his aesthetic and flawless physique, and since Arnold had returned to the bodybuilding arena after five years, Zane felt confident that he would win.

While talking about the said competition, Zane expressed his sorrow over not winning the Olympia a fourth time and said, ?I wanted to win the fourth time, but it just never happened.? This is when Michael asked him the reason. Zane gave an honest reply by saying that the window of being a muscular and flawless bodybuilder does not stay open for a long time. After that, he mentioned how ? Schwarzenegger had come back on the stage after five years.

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The Chemist revealed favoritism by the judges and revealed, ?Arnold Competed in 1980 and not that he? I don?t think he should have won.? But he humbly added, ?Maybe I shouldn?t have won either.? He also revealed a shocking fact about the IFBB pro who was the reason Jay Cutler came into bodybuilding. ?Then I went back in 82 and placed second to Chris Dickerson and I think I should have won that contest, but there?s a little bit of favoritism involved in judging I think?? revealed Zane. Jay Cutler had decided to become a bodybuilder after seeing Chris Dickerson win the 1982 Olympia. This is not the only controversial story that took birth between Arnold Schwarzenegger and Frank Zane.

Arnold reportedly joked with Zane on stage

As the 1980 Olympia had started in full swing, Zane found himself face to face with the Austrian Oak in the pre-judging round. He was intrigued by Arnold?s return, and could not stop himself from asking one question. The Chemist enquired, ?How does it feel competing after not being on stage for five years?? Arnold replied honestly, ?It?s really hard.? This reply made Frank laugh and both of them had a lighthearted time. This moment was captured in the camera and the picture of Frank laughing with Arnold became the talk of the town.

Arnold?s encyclopedia featured it saying, ?Arnold tells Zane a joke during the Olympia competition so he breaks his concentration and laughs.? Zane cleared these rumors in his blog and said the backstory behind the iconic picture.

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Do you think there was favoritism involved in the judgment of the 1980s and 1982 Olympias? What is your take? Tell us in the comments below.