2002 Olympia - Ronnie Coleman Wins, but Gunter is the Star!
TBT 2002 Olympia - Ronnie Wins, But Gunter is the Star!
Although Ronnie Coleman won his fifth Olympia at the 2002 bash, the star of the show was a reinvented Gunter Schlierkamp who finished fifth, and was marked third best in the evening finals as he brought the house down. Three weeks later the German juggernaut sensationally beat Ronnie at the Show of Strength staged in New Orleans. The first time a reigning Olympia champion had been defeated outside of the Big Dance since Arnold beat Sergio at the 1970 Mr. World, three weeks before the Austrian Oak toppled (isn’t it oaks that get toppled?) the Myth at the Mr. Olympia showdown. Here's some random thoughts on how the 2002 Olympia Weekend played out.
CHANTS OF A LIFETIME
In an unprecedented Olympia tableau, every time Gunter Schlierkamp appeared, the crowd would chant, "Gunter! Gunter! Gunter!"
VEGAS IS USUALLY RENOWNED FOR BOOZE, NOT BOOS
A cacophony of booing greeted Ronnie Coleman's first place announcement.
WHICH IS LIKE JENNIFER LOPEZ HITTING A MOST MUSCULAR
During his posing routine 285 pound Markus Ruhl (5th) shimmied his butt.
THE PRODUCER FOR FOLIES BERGERE PASSED
See previous item.
THE O ALWAYS THROWS SOMETHING COLORFUL UP
Chris Cormier (3rd) was nauseous throughout the Olympia day.
A CUT & DRIED DECISION
The Olympia weekend diuretic test was quietly dropped with no prior announcement.
CLAWED GROULX
Claude Grouxl was ripped like he's had an altercation with a Siegfried and Roy tiger, but was marooned in a ridiculous 21st place.
ALWAYS DANCING TO HIS OWN TUNE
Runner-up Kevin Levrone posed to a track from his own band, Full Blown.
IRIS EYES SHOULD HAVE BEEN SMILING
Despite Lenda Murray being in such fine shape, this scribe still thinks Iris Kyle should have won the Ms. Olympia heavyweight and probably overall titles.
THE LAST HARD BODY ONSTAGE
The Cadillac Escalade presented by Bodyonics Pinnacle to Ronnie Coleman.
I'D LIKE TO REPORT A MISSING NECK
Markus Ruhl's traps are so enormous his neck has disappeared.
DOGGONE IT HE'S BACK
One of the group who presented Flex Wheeler (now out of retirement) with his seventh place award came onstage carrying a miniature pup.
HIS NORMAL POST CONTEST BINGE IS PIZZA
See previous item
SWAN ALONE
Valentina Chepiga's (second in Ms. Olympia lightweight division) posing routine to Swan Lake was the greatest artistic display these weary eyes have ever seen on a bodybuilding stage.
ONE HAPPY SCHIELERKAMPER
Three days after his fifth place standing ovation Gunter Schlierkamp was still, "waiting to wake up and find it was a dream."
IN HER HOMELAND, SHE'S USED TO SLIPPERY SLOPES
With her proportions and condition, no way should Austria's Susan Neiderhauser been last in the Ms. Olympia lightweight division.
WHAT A JOKER
Emcee Tim Wilkins made an inappropriate comment about Vickie Gates leaving the stage in tears after dedicating her routine to her mother, Rosie, who passed away a couple of weeks before the event. Let's hope Mr. Wilkins didn't know of Vickie's loss.
HE'S A TRUE CHAMP
From the podium Ronnie Coleman dedicated his victory to Vickie Gates' mother.