The above photo shows a partial view of the Regal Room where
49 countries participated in the IFBB International Congress

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOGRAPHS OF DELEGATES CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOGRAPHS OF ATHLETES I. OPENING OF THE IFBB INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS: Rafael Santonja, Executive Assistant to the President and Chair, officially opened the annual meeting of the IFBB International Congress at 9:00am. The Chair presented brief introductory remarks and welcomed the members of the Executive Council and Delegates to Mumbai, India. The Chair introduced Madhav Pujari, President of the Indian Bodybuilding Federation, who presented brief welcoming remarks. II. VERIFICATION OF DELEGATES: The Chair called upon Tony Blinn, Chairman IFBB Technical Committee, to conduct the verification of delegates. Present were 14 members of the IFBB Executive Council and 49 National Federations. Four additional National Federations were participating in the Championships without delegates. A total of 53 countries were present at the 57th IFBB Men's World Amateur Bodybuilding Championships. The Chair confirmed that a quorum was present. III. ADOPTION OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES: The Minutes of the previous IFBB International Congress, held in Cairo, Egypt, October 27, 2002, were read into the record and adopted. IV. The IFBB PRESIDENT'S REPORT was placed into the record. V. REPORT of the IFBB EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT: Rafael Santonja reminded the members to remain persistent in their efforts to promote a positive image of the sport within the Olympic Movement and to continue their efforts at ensuring the participation of bodybuilding within IOC recognized Regional Games. Rafael reported record participation in Junior and Master competitions throughout 2002/2003, particularly at the World Women's Championships in Santa Susanna, Spain (September 26-29, 2003), which saw almost 200 competitors from over 40 countries. Rafael further reported that record numbers were anticipated at the World Juniors & Masters Championships, scheduled for Tenerife, Canary Islands, December 5-8, 2003. VI. The IFBB GENERAL SECRETARY'S REPORT was placed into the record. VII. REPORTS of the IFBB VICE PRESIDENTS: The Chair gave each Vice President the opportunity to present a brief report on the activities within their area of concern. As evidenced by their reports, the sport continues to experience worldwide growth and development. Reports were presented by: Paul Chua, IFBB Vice President Asia Albert Busek, IFBB Vice President Europe Javier Pollock, IFBB Vice President Caribbean Paul Graham, IFBB Vice President Oceania Dr. Eng. Adel Fahim El Sayed, IFBB Vice President Africa Malih Alaywan, IFBB Vice President Middle East Paul Chua reported that Brigadier Abdulla Khalaf (Qatar) has replaced Mergalev Bulat (Kazahkstan) as president of the Asian BodyBuilding Federation (ABBF). The Chair reported that Angel Coba (Ecuador) had recently been elected to the vice-presidency of the newly-formed South American Bodybuilding & Fitness Federation (SABFF), an IFBB Continental affiliate. VIII. REPORT of the IFBB JUDGES COMMITTEE: Rafael Santonja reported continual improvements in judging worldwide due to increased numbers of seminars, such as the IFBB/EBFF International Judges, Coaches & Trainers Course, as well as the comprehensive monitoring of Judging Accuracy Scores at the Continental and World levels. IX. REPORT of the IFBB TECHNICAL COMMITTEE: Tony Blinn presented a brief report on improvements at IFBB.com over the past year and gave a summary of the documents available onsite in PDF format. IFBB.com averaged 4,643,501 hits per month throughout 2002, with a record peak of 8,439,674 hits in October. Also, IFBB.com averaged 625,341 page views and over 140 countries visiting each month. Tony encouraged all National Federations to create and maintain their own unique websites. X. REPORT of the IFBB WOMEN'S COMMITTEE: Lisser Frost-Larsen, Chairperson IFBB Women's Committee, presented a brief report showing that women's participation in sport has increased dramatically during the past year, stating that, with competition open in Junior, Senior, and Master sport disciplines, there were actually more opportunities for women than men. XI. REPORT of the IFBB MEDICAL COMMISSION: Prof. Dr. Friedhelm Beuker, Secretary IFBB Medical Commission, presented a brief report highlighting the IFBB's efforts towards anti-doping. Prof. Dr. Eduardo H. De Rose, Special Advisor to the IFBB Medical Commission, noted that the top 5 finalists would undergo doping controls at the 57th IFBB Men's World Amateur Bodybuilding Championships and that the samples would be analyzed by the Montreal laboratory INRS Sant鮍 XII. WORLD ANTI-DOPING AGENCY (WADA) CODE: The Chair, with the assistance of the IFBB Medical Commission and IFBB Technical Committee, presented a report on the WADA Code. On behalf of the IFBB and President Weider, the Chair expressed his appreciation that WADA had included the IFBB as an active stakeholder in the drafting of the Code. Both the IFBB Medical Commission and IFBB Technical Committee had reviewed all draft versions of the Code and had submitted their recommendations to WADA. Currently, the IFBB Anti-Doping Program is modeled upon the Olympic Movement Anti-Doping Code (OMADC). It was advised that the Program be amended to reflect conformity with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code. The following resolution was confirmed by the Congress: Be it resolved that the IFBB shall become a Signatory to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code. Be it also resolved that, once an official Signatory, the IFBB shall take whatever measures are necessary to ensure that its Anti-Doping Program is in full compliance with the WADA Code. XIII. PROPOSITIONS: The following propositions were either ratified or rejected (as so indicated) by the Congress: Proposition #1: [IFBB Technical Committee & EBFF] ... RATIFIED Be it resolved that, for Men's & Women's Bodybuilding, the two relaxed turns during Round One (Prejudging) shall be eliminated. That instead, the competitors shall be directed to perform four compulsory poses, in numerical order and in groups of not more than five competitors at a time. That the judges shall use this time to determine their own individual comparisons, which shall immediately follow. The four compulsory poses shall be as follows: 1. Front relaxed followed by Front Double Biceps 2. Side Chest 3. Back relaxed followed by Back Double Biceps 4. Abdominals & Thighs Proposition #2: [IFBB Technical Committee] ... RATIFIED Be it resolved that, for Women's Bodybuilding, the length of the free posing routine shall be reduced from 90 seconds to 60 seconds. Proposition #3: [IFBB Technical Committee] ... RATIFIED Be it resolved that, for Mixed-Pairs Bodybuilding, the length of the free posing routine shall be reduced from 120 seconds to 90 seconds. Proposition #4: [IFBB Technical Committee] ... RATIFIED Be it resolved that, for Women's Fitness, before the individual comparisons, the entire lineup of competitors shall be directed to perform the four quarter turns, in numerical order and in groups of not more than five competitors at a time. That the judges shall use this time to determine their own individual comparisons, which shall immediately follow. Proposition #5: [IFBB] ... RATIFIED Be it resolved that, for Women's Fitness, the use of props shall be prohibited. *The definition of the term "prop" was tabled for further study. No competitor shall be permitted to use any device that would leave material on the stage platform that would 1) present a safety hazard for other competitors, or 2) require that the stage platform be cleaned before further use. Proposition #6: [IFBB Technical Committee] ... RATIFIED Be it resolved that, for Women's Fitness, the length of the Prejudging routine shall be 60 seconds. That the length of the Finals routine shall be not more than 90 seconds. Proposition #7: [IFBB Technical Committee & EBFF] ... TABLED Be it resolved that Men's Fitness shall be officially adopted as an IFBB sport discipline, with competition at the World level. *This proposition was tabled for further study at the National and Continental levels in order to ascertain the current and future viability of this potential sport discipline. Proposition #8: [IFBB Technical Committee] ... RATIFIED Be it resolved that the names of the top five finalists shall be made public after the Prejudging. *Note: The names of the top five finalists in each category shall be made known at the completion of the annual meeting of the IFBB International Congress. Proposition #9: [IFBB] ... REJECTED Be it resolved that the current practice of providing photocopies of the Final Places Combined Score Sheets at the Farewell Banquet shall be discontinued. Instead, this information shall be published at IFBB.com within 48 hours of the event. *It was determined that, for the purpose of ensuring proper photocopying, the IFBB shall provide Master copies of the Final Places Combined Score Sheets as follows: 1. Copy to the IFBB Vice President of the continent hosting the event. 2. Copy to the Organizing Committee. The Organizing Committee shall be responsible for ensuring sufficient copies are distributed to the National Federations, media and other interested parties. The results will be published at IFBB.com. Proposition #10: [Poland] ... REJECTED Be it resolved that the weight categories for Men's Bodybuilding shall be as follows: 1. Up to & incl 65kg (143 lbs) 2. Up to & incl 70kg (154 lbs) 3. Up to & incl 75kg (165 lbs) 4. Up to & incl 80kg (176 lbs) 5. Up to & incl 87.5kg (192.5 lbs) 6. Up to & incl 95kg (209 lbs) 7. Over 95kg (209 lbs) *Note: Rejected at the World level only. Proposition #11: [Czech Republic] ... RATIFIED Be it resolved that, for Women's Body Fitness, there shall be three height categories as follows: 1. Up to & incl 158cm (5' 2") 2. Up to & incl 164cm (5' 4") 3. Over 164cm (5' 4") Proposition #12: [IFBB Technical Committee] ... RATIFIED Be it resolved that, for Women's Body Fitness, only the top five finalists from Prejudging shall advance to the Finals. XIV. 2004 IFBB MEN'S WORLD AMATEUR BODYBUILDING CHAMPIONSHIPS & IFBB INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS: Moscow, Russia, November 4-8, 2004 XV. ALLOCATION OF CHAMPIONSHIPS: Pamela Kagan, IFBB Executive Director, discussed the 2004 IFBB Amateur Calendar of Events. XVI. OTHER BUSINESS: Dr. Eng. Adel Fahim El Sayed raised the issue of competitors, judges and officials participating in non-IFBB sanctioned events. The Chair advised that the IFBB Constitution and Rules already cover this issue. Tony Blinn raised the issue of the IFBB establishing a Relaxed Dress Code. Javier Pollock displayed several styles and colors of short-sleeve golf/polo shirts. It was determined that this was a good idea that would require further investigation. XVII. There being no further business to discuss, the Chair adjourned the meeting at 1:00pm.