The Masters Olympia is Back!
After an 11-year absence, the Masters Olympia will make its return in 2023, and it’s going to be bigger and better than ever.
The Olympia promoters and IFBB Pro League officials have announced that the 2023 Masters Olympia competition will be on the season schedule, and it is set to take place on the weekend of August 25th – 27th at the BTArena in Cluj Napoca, Romania.
The previous editions of the contest, which ran from 1994 to 2003, with a one-time return in 2012, were only open to the Men’s Open competitors. The last Masters Olympia winner was Dexter “The Blade” Jackson in that 2012 contest.
The bigger and better part is that ten of the 11 pro divisions will be represented in this version of the contest. Only the Men’s Wheelchair division will be absent.
There are different age minimums for different divisions, and that breakdown is below.
Athletes that are age 40 or over will be allowed to compete in these divisions.
- Men’s Classic Physique
- Men’s Physique
- Women’s Fitness
- Women’s Figure
- Women’s Bikini
- Women’s Physique
- Women’s Wellness
Athletes that are age 45 or older will be allowed to compete in these divisions.
- Men’s Bodybuilding
- Men’s 212 Bodybuilding
- Women’s Bodybuilding
Athletes that wish to compete in the Masters Olympia will have to submit an application to be invited. The application must include social media accounts, athletic background, competitive history, and may include photos and/or a video up to one minute of their current condition. The deadline to submit those applications is April 10, 2023. Traditionally, past Olympia champions have lifetime qualification as well as the right to enter any show within their division that they wish. It’s not clear if that rule applies to the Masters Olympia or not.
The final list of invited athletes will be released on April 24th, 2023. Muscle Insider will share the news of the final rosters once they are revealed. As of this writing, there is no word on if the Masters Olympia will have a livestream or other way for fans that can’t be in Romania to watch live, but we will provide updates on that as well.
One More Detail
Since this is an invite-only contest, a new rule will apply to the Masters Olympia. The IFBB Pro League had recently announced that athletes that withdraw from an invited contest that they were selected for without a doctor’s notice or “legitimate reason” could be subject to a fine, suspension, and prohibition from competing in future shows. So, if an athlete applies to this contest, gets accepted, then withdraws after the rosters are announced, then this new rule may apply to them.
So, who do you want to see grace the stage and compete one last time, or maybe multiple times if the Masters Olympia is back to stay? There are several legends who would add more sizzle to the steak if they donned the trunks one last time. Stay tuned to Muscle Insider for updates as they happen.
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