Iain Valliere can compete as many times as he likes.
After winning the Tampa Pro and qualifying for the 2021 Mr. Olympia, Iain Valliere has been criticized for deciding to compete at the Texas Pro next weekend.
Pro bodybuilder Iain Valliere has just won the Tampa Pro and qualified for the 2021 Mr. Olympia last weekend. Iain revealed on his official Instagram page that he has received messages from a number of people to refrain from competing in Texas.
The reason being is that since Ian qualified for the 2021 Mr. Olympia, it seems some competitors or fans believe he should step aside and let somebody else win.
To say this to a professional athlete is just absurd. The goal for every professional athlete in any sport is to win as many times as he or she can and at the same time, make as much money as possible.
This is the reason the sport of bodybuilding never moves forward. It seems, some fans and even athletes cannot understand that the pro athletes want to build their own legacy and be the best they can be.
If Ian or any other bodybuilder wants to compete 10 times in a single competitive season, it is their right to do so.
In the 1990’s, during the European tour after the Mr. Olympia, Kevin Levrone would win the majority of the shows. Kevin would step on stage, sometimes every week and win the show.
If any of the other competitors were better, they would have won, but Levrone was the man to beat. That is what competitive professional sport is all about.
Not only would Kevin add more victories to his resume, but he enjoyed the financial benefits as well, and that’s how it should be.
The same applies to Ian Valliere. Ian only competed once this season at the Tampa Pro.
Ian is a professional athlete who has a number of loyal sponsors, but this is not enough for a professional bodybuilder.
The pro bodybuilder needs to win shows or at least place in the top three.
At the Tampa Pro, Iain was awarded $10,000 for winning the event. Every dedicated bodybuilding fan knows, $10,000 is a very small amount when all the contest prep expenses are calculated.
Since he is in contest shape and has just won a show, nothing should prevent him from competing in the next show, which is in Texas.
If Iain manages to win the show in Texas, he will bring home approximately another $10,000 in prize money. That is what a professional athlete does.
Iain made a very interesting point. In his post, he said “It’s my job to not let others qualify for the Mr Olympia, and deny others from winning prize money and titles.”
What can be said for Olympia winners? An athlete is qualified for life if he or she wins an Olympia title. This should not deny them the chance to compete at every event.
Dexter Jackson competed at practically every event. He is on record saying that he wants to win as many shows as he can and at the same time get rich by doing so.
Evolutionofbodybuilding.net is on record suggesting that the automatic Olympia qualification should be removed. The reason for this is that the defending champion should fight for his place at the next Olympia, just as every other bodybuilder does.
“It’s my job to not let others qualify for the Mr. Olympia, and deny others from winning prize money and titles.” – Iain Valliere
By eliminating the automatic qualification, the competition season would be more exciting. The top bodybuilders will all need to fight for their place, and show if they are capable of doing so.
It is not only Iain that has come under the spotlight. 3X Bikini Olympia winner Ashley Kaltwasser has also been criticized for competing at numerous events.
During the 2021 season, Ashley has already competed eight times and won six of the events, and she is not done yet. Ashley’s next challenge is to compete at two events during the same weekend and as well is invited to the 2021 Arnold Classic.
If any of the other bikini competitors were better than Ashley, they would have won. This proves that Ashley is still the athlete to beat. That is why she won the Bikini Olympia three consecutive times, and is a favorite to win her fourth.
Bodybuilding needs to move forward, athletes need to benefit financially. All the bodybuilding and fitness athletes have to work hard for their money, and if this means competing at every show, so be it.
