Wheelchair athletes reveal horrible experience at the 2022 Olympia Weekend.
UPDATE (4 January 2023) – Bob Cicherillo responds to the allegations made by several wheelchair athletes.
Read More: Bob Cicherillo responds to wheelchair athletes Olympia Weekend accusations
UPDATE (30 December 2022) – Evolutionofbodybuilding.net have been informed that the hotel had to allegedly provide access to toilets for the wheelchair athletes, rather than the responsibility falling on the Olympia Weekend organizers.
The 2022 Olympia Weekend has ended, but the organizers unfortunately have received heavy criticism from the athletes and media.
Bodybuilding social media and news portals have been publishing numerous reports about the shortcomings at the 2022 Olympia Weekend.
The main problem that the majority of athletes, coaches and fans, complained about was the large number of athletes competing.
Bodybuilding legends and coaches vented their frustration on their media outlets.
Close to 400 athletes stepped on the Olympia stage, far too any for such a prestigious event. The large amount of athletes also meant the event concluded very late in the evening.
Wheelchair athletes furious about how event was organized
Sources close to Evolutionofbodybuilding.net allege that the wheelchair athletes had a horrible experience at the 2022 Olympia Weekend.
The long wait backstage was very uncomfortable for the athletes, due to the large amount of athletes competing on Saturday evening.
The wheelchair athletes went on stage at the end of the long prejudging on Saturday evening. With the event lasting over six hours, the wheelchair athletes were scheduled to compete after the numerous athletes competing in the Classic Physique, Men’s Physique and Bikini Olympia prejudging.
Sources close to Evolutionofbodybuilding.net reveal that the wheelchair athletes were not happy after they were rushed to go through their posing routines. Sources allege that the wheelchair athletes posing routines were reduced from two and a half minutes to only 60 seconds, to rush the process and conclude the evening.
The Wheelchair Olympia event only had 12 athletes. There is absolutely no excuse, these athletes should have been given the maximum time needed for their event.
Sources also allege that during the Wheelchair Olympia event, practically no spectators remained, and the athletes were practically only performing for the judges. This frustrated the wheelchair competitors, believing that they deserved to be given more respect at what supposedly is the Super Bowl of bodybuilding.
Toilets not accessible for wheelchair athletes
If the athletes and couches believed too many athletes was the main problem at the 2022 Olympia Weekend, they should listen to what the Wheelchair Olympians have to say.
Sources close to this site allege that the toilets were not accessible for wheelchairs, meaning the wheelchair athletes had to relive themselves wherever they could find privacy. It was also alleged that the Wheelchair Athletes Rep collected their waste.
Sources also allege that the wheelchair athletes felt like they were being treated like “animals”. It would be expected that the facilities at the biggest bodybuilding and fitness of the year, would at least cater to their needs.
Was the 2022 Olympia Weekend the most successful ever?
With close to 400 athletes competing at the 2022 Olympia Weekend, some of the promoters labeled it as the best ever, but many disagree.
What is allegedly being said about the 2022 Olympia Weekend
• Too many athletes
• Athletes waiting too long backstage
• Posing routines eliminated
• Posing routines time limit reduced
• Spectators leaving early
• No toilets with wheelchair access
• Photographers allegedly treated badly
The majority of these allegations have been discussed on the majority of bodybuilding media channels, but some refrained from disusing certain topics.
Evolutionofbodybuilding.net reached out to a number of professionals that attended the event, but they did not want to discuss the situation, fearing repercussions.
