IFBB Official slapped by irate bodybuilder
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With an important number of athletes, from 17 countries the 2016 IFBB Diamond Cup Greece is one of the most prestigious events of the season. It was hosted this past weekend in the Galatsi Olympic Hall of Athens. President of the IFBB, Dr. Rafael Santonja flew from IFBB Headquarters to the hellenic capital, in order to attend the event and meet with Greek Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation Executives.
The event hosted Master Bodybuilding, Bikini Fitness, Bodyfitness, Women´s Physique, Men´s Physique, Bodybuilding, and Classic Bodybuilding. There were over a dozen judges/officials there, but one in particular stands out; as does one athlete. Greek bodybuilder Ioannis (Giannis) Magkos attacked Armando Marquez, an IFBB official originally from Spain, in plain site, in front of an entire audience, athletes, and judging panel. According to fitness website Evolution of Bodybuilding, Mr. Marquez is one of the most respected figures in the sport, travelling the world to promote it. Magkos’s actions came after he won his 100kg division, but narrowly missed out on his IFBB pro card (only the overall winner of each category wins his/her pro card). Clearly he wasn’t too happy about the decision, as he slapped Mr. Marquez, and apparently pulled out his genitals as well.
Veteran IFBB Pro Kevin Levrone was there, and had the following to say about the situation:
On November 28th, the IFBB disciplinary committee announced that Magkos is facing a lifetime ban from competing in the IFBB. According to TMZ News, "The IFBB is slapping back -- delivering a "life expulsion" to Magos ... which is a big deal, considering the organization is connected to the biggest events in the sport ... including Mr. Olympia and the Arnold Classic. A rep for the IFBB has said, "The IFBB takes this occasion to express its strong commitment for respect, fairness and good will in our sport, and its firm rejection of violence, mistreatment and/or an aggressive approach in any way, may it be verbal, gestural or physical."
He’s receiving a ton of backlash from the bodybuilding community, as well as the world at large, who are quick to yell, “Roid rage!” and other such misnomers.