Bild: Montreal Gazette.
I fredags avled Ben Weider i Montreal, Kanada, vid 85 års ålder. Ben var tillsammans med sin äldre bror Joe Weider grundare av det internationella bodybuildingförbundet IFBB. Han agerade under sex decennier (1946-2006) som förbundets president och var en outtröttlig förespråkare och ambassadör för sporten kroppbyggning.
Närmast anhöriga är hans fru Huguette, sönerna Louis, Eric och Mark, barnbarnen Joseph och Vanessa samt brodern Joe och systern Freda.
Tillsammans med sin bror Joe lade Ben Weider grunden för modern bodybuilding.
In sport, there are no limitations, no barriers of race, religion, politics or culture. In sport, we are in touch with each other. Bodybuilding is important for Nation Building.
— Ben Weider, O.C., C.St.J, C.Q., Ph.D.
IFBB Founder and Honorary Life President
Följande engelska text är ledaren från juliutgåvan 1950 av magasinet YOUR PHYSIQUE skriven av Joe Weider. För 57 år sedan gjorde Joe således tio förutsägelser om bodybuilding och dess centrala roll i livsstilen hos framtida generationer:
- I predict that civilization will speed up in every phase, and that the stresses and strains on mankind will continue to increase.
- I predict that the resulting increase in mental and physical illness will force the world to recognize the importance of systematic exercise and physical activities.
- I predict that bodybuilding will become the chief form of systematic exercise and physical activity, and that it will come to be looked upon as one of the greatest forces in the field of preventive medicine.
- I predict that a full realization of the importance of muscular development will sweep the world, and the sport of bodybuilding will grow by leaps and bounds.
- I predict that the principles of good bodybuilding — which include a balanced diet, adequate sleep, plenty of fresh air, ample sunshine and regular workouts — will become basic principles of living.
- I predict that bodybuilding will become the steppingstone to every other sport and physical activity.
- I predict that the art of relaxation, one of the fundamental principles in bodybuilding, will become more and more important as tensions increase, and that relaxation will be universally taught and advocated.
- I predict that those who practice bodybuilding will live healthier, happier and more useful lives.
- I predict that bodybuilding will spread to every corner of the world and that it will one day be recognized as the king of all sports and physical activities.
- I predict that bodybuilding will one day become one of the greatest forces in existence, and that it may be hailed as the activity that actually saved civilization from itself.
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