Bodybuilding in Australia
Australia has both produced high performing bodybuilders, such as Lee Priest, and also hosted some historically significant events in the field, such as the IFBB Mr Olympia in 1980 where Arnold Schwarzenegger was the winner.Operating the largest gymnasium in Australia, he played a pivotal role in promoting bodybuilding and fitness through various contests.Early competitions were heavily dominated by male competitors however the rise of female bodybuilding throughout the 1970s and 1980s resulted in many instances of greater numbers of women competing than men.Following periodic bans introduced by the IOC and the IFBB campaigning for bodybuilding to become and Olympic Sport, the focus on anti-doping and natural competitions increased.Natural bodybuilding competitions started to take place in the country during the 1990s, however actual drug testing was not included until much later.