Not Impressed With Body of Their Work

Bodybuilding has its place, but it’s not in the Olympics (July 14). Ben Weider’s attempt to crowbar body exhibitions into the category of sport is more ludicrous than persuasive.

Few would agree with Weider’s claim that putting a good body on display is as worthy as swimming fast, but, agree or not, swimming, like every other Olympic event, is measured by performance, not show. The only element of performance in a body exhibition is the posing skill, which is secondary to the possession of a well-formed body.

Body posing does not seriously test any of the qualities associated with athletic endeavor (speed, strength, timing, coordination, strategy). Let’s not sully the concept of sport and the Olympic tradition by the admission of a beauty contest.

AL CLARKE

Thousand Oaks