Lee Priest’s return to the IFBB will be decided on Olympia Weekend
by Allan Donnelly
April 8, 2008
FLEXONLINE.COM
For Lee Priest, the most important decision of the year will happen at the 2008 Olympia. For Priest, though, that decision won’t be a result of anything that happens on stage at the Orleans Arena – it will be a result of the vote that takes place off it, as IFBB officials have decided to vote on whether or not to allow Priest back into the IFBB during Olympia Weekend.
“The IFBB Pro League meets annually at the Olympia concerning anything that is going to effect the sport,” IFBB Professional League Chairman Jim Manion said. “In this case Lee Priest has reapplied, and we are going to consider letting him back in to the IFBB at that meeting. Last year [Priest’s reinstatement] was voted upon and it was turned down.”
Manion said if approved, Priest’s reinstatement would be effective immediately following the 2008 Olympia, meaning he could choose to return at one of the European contests following the Olympia. As of now, the Holland Grand Prix is slated to follow the Olympia with one more European contest likely to be added.
“Lee wanted to try to come back sooner of course, but we decided we should address the issue with the whole committee present,” Manion said. “If he’s voted in, he would be automatically eligible to compete or guest pose.”
Priest has been suspended by the IFBB since 2006, after choosing to compete in another organization, the now defunct Pro Division Inc. Priest has since reapplied for reinstatement. As of today, IFBB officials have decided to put that application up for a vote on Olympia Weekend.
“We had put in for early reinstatement, but that was obviously denied,” IFBB Athlete’s Representative Bob Cicherillo said. “Lee’s motion will now be heard at the Pro League meeting during Olympia Weekend. I think the lesson has been learned and the punishment has been more than sufficient, and now it’s time to get Lee back on stage. Hopefully the committee sees it the same way I do.”
Before his suspension, the 5-foot-4, 225-pound Priest had carved a reputation for being able to stand toe-to-toe with the mass monsters and more than hold his own, as his competitive history demonstrates. During his 14-year professional career, Priest has placed in the top five of 23 different contests.
1994 Arnold Classic, 7th Ironman Pro Invitational, 4th Night of Champions, 12th San Jose Pro Invitational, 7th
1995 Arnold Classic, 9th Florida Pro Invitational, 4th Ironman Pro Invitational, 3rd South Beach Pro Invitational, 4th
1996 Ironman Pro Invitational, 4th San Jose Pro Invitational, 6th
1997 Arnold Classic, 7th Grand Prix Czech Republic, 5th Grand Prix England, 6th Grand Prix Finland, 9th Grand Prix Germany, 3rd Grand Prix Hungary, 3rd Grand Prix Russia, 9th Grand Prix Spain, 3rd Ironman Pro Invitational, 2nd Mr. Olympia, 6th San Jose Pro Invitational, 4th
1998 Mr. Olympia, 7th
1999 Ironman Pro Invitational, 6th Mr. Olympia, 8th 2000 Night of Champions, 5th Mr. Olympia, 6th
2001 Ironman Pro Invitational, 7th
2002 Arnold Classic, 4th Ironman Pro Invitational, 2nd Mr. Olympia, 6th San Francisco Pro Invitational, 1st Show of Strength Pro Championship, 4th
2003 Mr. Olympia, 15th 2004 Ironman Pro Invitational, 2nd San Francisco Pro Invitational, 2nd
2005 Arnold Classic, 4th Grand Prix Australia, 1st Ironman Pro Invitational, 2nd
2006 Arnold Classic, 6th Grand Prix Australia, 2nd Ironman Pro Invitational, 1st
