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Lee Haney Named 2021 Olympia Weekend Ambassador

By: 
Roger Lockridge

Olympia Coverage Sponsored by BODYPRO Gym

The promoters of the Olympia Weekend began a new tradition in 2019 when they started announcing an Honorary Olympia Ambassador. The first was Jay Cutler, who lived in Las Vegas, Nevada where the Olympia was held at the time. In 2020, Pro Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal was presented with the honor as the special guest in Orlando, Florida.

On August 30th, the promoters of the Olympia announced that this year’s Ambassador would be none other than eight-time Mr. Olympia and former Muscle Insider cover athlete Lee Haney. Haney is considered one of the greatest bodybuilders in history, and his eight titles is tied for the most of any male competitor with Ronnie Coleman. This year will also mark the 30th anniversary of his historic eighth consecutive Mr. Olympia win and retirement from the sport.

“Lee represents so many of the positive values that all of our champions can aspire to. He has used his notoriety to change lives in so many amazing ways,” Olympia President Dan Solomon said in the announcement.

Aside from his legendary career that saw him dominate the 1980’s, Haney is also involved with fitness through his supplement brand, Lee Haney Nutrition, as well as through his International Association of Fitness Sciences (IAFS) personal training certification program. He was also the Chairman of the President’s Council of Physical Fitness under U.S. President Bill Clinton in the 1990’s.

Haney also expressed his appreciation for the position in the press release.

“My Mr. Olympia titles created the foundation that has allowed me to spend my life educating and mentoring young men in all walks of life. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to compete at the greatest event in the world and I’m humbled by this incredible honor.”

This is just the latest in honors that Haney had received since his retirement from competition in 1991. He is a member of the IFBB Hall of Fame, and he was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame at the Arnold Sports Festival in 2014. He is also a past recipient of the Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Make sure to check out our One-On-One interview with Lee Haney HERE!

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