No doubt it was....I was working at "Hank's Gym" in Houston at the time. Having lived in CA for some time, Hank still had connections with prominent people on the west coast. We were told some eight weeks out, that the contest was being set up for Arnold, to help promote the release of the first Conan movie.

The pictures prove it! Arnold at his best could not have beat that field...and on that day .....his legs couldn't place in a STATE meet.

Bill Pearl declined to judge, and it was said to be because of his affiliation to Chris Dickerson, who was also competing. However he was aware of "the set up" and that was the real reason he declined.

Arnold was an asshole, and was a marketing tool for Weider.... and was therefore protected by Weider. The 1980 Olympia was not a unique case, there were a number of contests Arnold was "GIVEN."

Arnold's only contribution to bodybuilding was his promoting contests with prize money that was previously unheard of. To maintain credibility, other promoters had to do the same, especially in the case of the Olympia.

While the prize money pales in comparison to other professional sports, it has come a long way, and I guess he should be thanked for that.