JOE WEIDER'S ANNUAL OLYMPIA WEEKEND FEATURING THE TOP BODYBUILDERS IN THE WORLD TAKES CENTRE STAGE IN LAS VEGAS Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone and WWE Superstar Triple H to appear at The Ultimate Bodybuilding Championship Weekend.   Woodland Hills, CA (September 28, 2004) -- Weider Publications and the International Federation of Bodybuilders (IFBB) are proud to announce the 2004 Joe Weider's Olympia Weekend will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino the weekend of October 28--31, 2004.

Often referred to as the Super Bowl of Bodybuilding, the 2004 Olympia Weekend marks the 39th year this prestigious event will crown the world's best men and women as they compete in the ultimate bodybuilding and fitness competitions. Defending champion Ronnie Coleman will be going for his seventh straight Mr. Olympia title, tying the record of the most famous name in bodybuilding (and politics), Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Governor is scheduled to attend the finals and award the championship trophy. At 295 lbs, with 23" arms and a 60" chest, Coleman is one of the most awesome competitors to ever hold the title of Mr. Olympia. Trying to stop Coleman's record breaking performance will be Jay Cutler, regarded by experts as the biggest threat to Coleman making history and whose own measurements rival the champs. Other top contenders who are competing include Günter Schlierkamp, Dexter Jackson, Chris Cormier, Markus Rühl and Dennis James. An appearance by Russian superman Alexander Fedorov, an early favourite for next year's Olympia, has been rumoured. WWE Superstar Triple H is set to act as the special guest host for the evening. With a physique that rivals many of the Olympia competitors, Triple H has been featured many times on the covers of the world's leading bodybuilding magazines, Muscle & Fitness and Flex. Coupled with his famous ability to really get a crowd going, the multiple--time WWE World Champion will make Mr. Olympia a night to remember. International film star Sylvester Stallone -- whose fitness routines are legendary -- will also be attending the Mr. Olympia competition. Sly, creator of the upcoming NBC show "The Contender," is scheduled to introduce the new Challenge Round that will feature the Mr. Olympia finalists in a one--on--one competition that will add a new twist to this year's outcome. All the Olympia competitors are endorsing this new format with one exception -- Ronnie Coleman, who sees the changes as a threat to his tenure. In addition to Mr. Olympia , the weekend will also feature the women's bodybuilding competition led by Lenda Murray who will look to defend the title of Ms. Olympia against a world--class field. Kelly "Flyin'" Ryan will be looking for her first win as she competes for the Fitness Olympia title against favourites Jennifer Hendershot and Adela Garcia--Friedmansky. Fans and bodybuilding enthusiasts from around the world will get a sneak peak at the latest innovations in the world of fitness and health as well as a chance to meet the competitors as Olympia Weekend will also feature a Fitness Expo with over 120 exhibitors. The schedule of events for Olympia Weekend includes: Ms. Olympia, Figure Olympia, Fitness Olympia/Friday, October 29 at 7:00pm; Mr. Olympia/Saturday, October 30 at 6:45pm; Fitness Expo/Friday, October 29 and Saturday, October 30.