October 2002
Olympia Press Conference
What started as simply the media's introduction to
the upcoming weekend has become almost an event in itself -- made even more popular by
last year's near free-fall-all among many of the competitors. This year, though, was a
much tamer affair -- some even called it downright boring -- but it was spiced up
a tad when well-known past competitor Milos Sarcev took to the microphone on behalf of
some of the competitors. Sarcev's goal was to challenge IFBB Pro Chairman Wayne Demila on
the topic of low-placing competitors' getting some sort of prize money. He was stifled
quickly, though, when Demilia repeated told him that "this is not the place
Milos."
Wayne Demilia opened the press conference with some remarks.
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With Shawn Ray absent this year, Milos Sarcev provided the only real controversy at the
conference.
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Reigning champion Ronnie Coleman occupied center-stage, but kept silent most of the time.
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Although much has been discussed in the past about Flex Wheeler's return to competition,
he kept quiet all the time because no one here even brought it up.
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Always personable, well-liked competitor Gunther Schlierkamp kept the tone light as he
described his modeling and acting career.
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The conference took a more serious tone, though, when Vickie Gates made an emotional
response when answering a question about the recent passing of her mother.
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Nasser El Sonbaty answered a question on what it's like to be part of the old guard...
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...while new-guy Art Atwood talked about what's it's like to be on the Olympia stage for
the first time.
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to the 2002 Olympia" index.
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