edmundas daubaras
February 8th, 2008, 07:54 AM
UNIVERSE CONTESTS
There are so many misunderstandings about “Universe” contests. What is “Universe”? – that is the question William Shakespeare would had asked long before...
Today “Universe” contests are organized by NABBA UK (NABBA-1, National Amateur Bodybuilding Association), by NABBA of Joe Lopez (NABBA- 3), by German NAC (National Athletic Committee), by IBFA (International Bodybuilding and Fitness Association) and some other International Sport Units. Even IFBB (International Body Building Federation) their World Amateur Championships started to call them “Universe”. With so many “Universe” contests we have hundreds of “Universe” champions every year.
So what is it, the lovely name “Universe”?
FIRST. History.
Bodybuilding “Universe” contest was started by “Strength and Health” magazine in 1948 (London, UK). After in 1950 the magazine gave the temporary right to the British Public Sport Club named NABBA UK to organize this contest. From that time by NABBA UK “Universe” is organized annually. This is a contest of NABBA UK and it does not “belong” to any International Federation or Association.
SECOND. Official Status
Most countries represented in NABBA have no official status (they have no registration by law in their countries, like NABBA Russia, France, etc.).
When Lithuania started to participate at NABBA “Universe” competitions twenty years ago we have never thought about the official status of this contest itself. It seemed that everything is official.
Being officially registered and recognized in Lithuania, NABBA Lithuania according the Sport Law of Lithuania received Governmental Support. By the Sport Law of Lithuania all National athletes who are placing high in the Official International Contests are receiving Governmental Premium (the amount of money differs every time).
It happened that some Lithuania athletes took high places at NABBA “Universe” contests (1994 - 1998).
In order to get the premium for athletes the President NABBA Lithuania addressed officially the Government. The official request received the official answer: NABBA “UNIVERSE” contest as well as all “Universe” contests of other federations are not official and are not recognized by Official Sport Institutions.
The official and recognized contests are only:
1. Olympic Games (for Olympic Sports)
2. World Championships (for all sports)
3. Continental Championships (Europe, Asia, South America, North America, Africa…).
There are no more official and recognized contests.
The Sport Ministry explained that “Universe”, “Amber Prix International”, “Olympia”, “Slovakia Cup Open” etc. – that are not official competitions. That are ordinary national or international events and often just commercial contests.
THIRD. The Name
What is it “Universe”? Is there anything special? Is anybody from another Planet like the Saturn or at least the Moon participating there at the “Universe”?
This is only a nice name and nothing else.
By Sport Law of any Country the official rank of every contest like “Universe” is lower than even a Continent (European, Asian…) Championship.
There are so many misunderstandings about “Universe” contests. What is “Universe”? – that is the question William Shakespeare would had asked long before...
Today “Universe” contests are organized by NABBA UK (NABBA-1, National Amateur Bodybuilding Association), by NABBA of Joe Lopez (NABBA- 3), by German NAC (National Athletic Committee), by IBFA (International Bodybuilding and Fitness Association) and some other International Sport Units. Even IFBB (International Body Building Federation) their World Amateur Championships started to call them “Universe”. With so many “Universe” contests we have hundreds of “Universe” champions every year.
So what is it, the lovely name “Universe”?
FIRST. History.
Bodybuilding “Universe” contest was started by “Strength and Health” magazine in 1948 (London, UK). After in 1950 the magazine gave the temporary right to the British Public Sport Club named NABBA UK to organize this contest. From that time by NABBA UK “Universe” is organized annually. This is a contest of NABBA UK and it does not “belong” to any International Federation or Association.
SECOND. Official Status
Most countries represented in NABBA have no official status (they have no registration by law in their countries, like NABBA Russia, France, etc.).
When Lithuania started to participate at NABBA “Universe” competitions twenty years ago we have never thought about the official status of this contest itself. It seemed that everything is official.
Being officially registered and recognized in Lithuania, NABBA Lithuania according the Sport Law of Lithuania received Governmental Support. By the Sport Law of Lithuania all National athletes who are placing high in the Official International Contests are receiving Governmental Premium (the amount of money differs every time).
It happened that some Lithuania athletes took high places at NABBA “Universe” contests (1994 - 1998).
In order to get the premium for athletes the President NABBA Lithuania addressed officially the Government. The official request received the official answer: NABBA “UNIVERSE” contest as well as all “Universe” contests of other federations are not official and are not recognized by Official Sport Institutions.
The official and recognized contests are only:
1. Olympic Games (for Olympic Sports)
2. World Championships (for all sports)
3. Continental Championships (Europe, Asia, South America, North America, Africa…).
There are no more official and recognized contests.
The Sport Ministry explained that “Universe”, “Amber Prix International”, “Olympia”, “Slovakia Cup Open” etc. – that are not official competitions. That are ordinary national or international events and often just commercial contests.
THIRD. The Name
What is it “Universe”? Is there anything special? Is anybody from another Planet like the Saturn or at least the Moon participating there at the “Universe”?
This is only a nice name and nothing else.
By Sport Law of any Country the official rank of every contest like “Universe” is lower than even a Continent (European, Asian…) Championship.