HIGHLIGHTS OF THE OLYMPIA PRESS CONFERENCE   From the Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas. 11am PST 23rd October 2003   As expected, the press conference once again offered a controversial fest this year; Shawn Ray locked horns with IFBB Chairman, Wayne DeMilia, over his quest to become the official representative of the athletes; Chris Cormier pulled from the 2003 line-up as a result of illness; Craig Titus branded Shawn Ray a liar and Vickie Gates announced her retirement after her 2003 Ms. O appearance.   SHAWN RAY, who turned up late and seemingly misinformed, had already been branded dishonest by CRAIG TITUS and KELLY RYAN after they accused him of forging Craig's signature on a petition to vote Shawn the representative of the athletes. Shawn, who has been campaigning relentlessly for judging modifications and prize redistribution had been previously told by WAYNE DeMILIA that his proposal to become the official representative would be accepted if he were able to secure majority support from the athletes - and there the lobbying began. Shawn stated that he'd now secured 95 of the 97 votes required but the legitimacy of those votes were the issue under heated discussion. Shawn denied personally counterfeiting the signature in question before conceding that he'd take Craig at his word if he denied signing the document.   KEVIN LEVRONE has unwisely decided to compete after a serious biceps tear that will have significantly affected his pre-contest preparation.   LEE PRIEST had earlier promised to donate his prize money this year to be shared between the lower-ranking competitors in an effort to more evenly distribute the prize money. At the conference he sealed his pledge by presenting written confirmation to the federation. Lee's offer was refused as KERRY KAYES from the UK had already pledged $1000 which had been matched with an additional $1000 from the federation.   BOB CICHERILLO took the opportunity to voice publicly his disapproval of the judges' seating positions at the Mr. O. He felt that too many VIPs were being given high profile seating to the detriment of the judges. WAYNE DeMILIA stated that this year the judges' positions had been brought forward and now the judges were complaining that they were too close!   RONNIE COLEMAN remained comparatively reserved this year, thankfully. He appeared looking mean and immensely vast, stating that he continued to consider each and every competitor a threat as he knew just how much each individual strived for victory.   The IFBB reconfirmed that judges were instructed to mark down distended bellies after a question from the audience highlighted the inappropriateness of overlooking protruding midsections.   JAY CUTLER asserted that he aimed to compete with the "biggest, gnarliest physique in the show". As far as his weight is concerned he claims he's coming in at pretty much the same weight as his 2001 appearance.   VICKIE GATES bid a tearful farewell to her competing years. She claimed that "when it's time to retire you just know" but hopes to get involved in the judging syndicate.   MELVIN ANTHONY was targeted comically about his 'big ass' which had received much focus on the internet recently. Melvin took the criticisms in good spirit and announced that he hoped to place within the top six.

Lee Priest & Ronnie C A man with a mission - Jay Cutler Shawn Ray professes his innocence