Greene stated in the report that due to competing at least three times every year since 2006, his body needed a rest for him to be in top condition once the 2011 Mr. Olympia arrives. He will in fact compete before September to qualify for the O, so bodybuilding fans will get to see what Greene looks like after a decent break.

Considering that he seems to peak once a year, going all out for the Sandow may seem like a good strategy on the outside. If Greene can harness his conditioning in the Fall instead of earlier in the calendar year, then this seems like a smart strategic move. But if he puts all his eggs in one basket and fails to make at least the top three, then the critics will have a field day.

Greene has taken a lot of criticism since finishing seventh in the 2010 Mr. Olympia. He was probably lucky to have placed as high as he did and could have easily fell out of the top 10. His abdominal area was far from sharp and was definitely one of his weaker points and Greene needs to concentrate on improving that if he hopes to have any shot at unseating Jay Cutler.

It will be a much different Arnold without Greene and Phil Heath, last year’s runner-up who previously announced that he was taking the show off. That opens the door for someone like Dennis Wolf or Branch Warren, or even a wild card such as Evan Centopani.

If the judges feel that Cutler has come into the show as good or better than he looked last September, then he will in all likelihood win his fourth Sandow trophy in five years. But Greene brings something extra to the table in showmanship and has become a fan favorite almost overnight. Prior to the 2009 Arnold, his name didn’t immediately conjure up thoughts of big wins, but the Brooklyn, New York native blew everyone away with a physique and posing routine that will go down in history as one of the most unique of all time.

At the 2009 Olympia, Greene did not look as sharp and took fourth in his first attempt at the Sandow. He obviously peaked earlier in the year and will try to use that to his advantage this time around. He knows what didn’t work then and will do his best to change that 12 months later.

Bodybuilding fans know that Greene will be be a force on stage. It depends on if the judges feel the same way.

He said that his “good” arm measure 21 inches and his “bad” arm – his left, which he had recent surgery on – is 21 inches. Not too bad for a guy who stands at 5’4″. On a video on MD.com, Priest commented that the 202 is all about conditioning and that he had won shows in the past at 199 and 198 pounds.

He also called himself a “rebel” and a “loose cannon,” as well as a “guy who speaks his mind.” That is the Priest that bodybuilding fans have come to love and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

“With Infinite Labs an MD behind me, you’re  going to see on hell of a comeback,” Priest commented on the video clip.

Priest, when in condition, is one of the most impressive bodybuilders on the circuit. Because of his short stature, he appears huge and should be the widest person on stage in the 202. The mass that he possesses is amazing and he also has a small waist to give him a great look.

You can view the long layoff in two ways: that it will be too long for him to get back into the swing of things or that his body is well rested from not having to go through the dieting process for what is going to be eight years. Figure on a little bit of each being reality and Priest may need a few contests to reach his full potential once again.

Here’s a vote of confidence that by the third time out, Priest, 38, will dominate the 202 class. Hopefully he competes in a show or two as a warm-up and qualify for the Olympia, where he may just have enough to dethrone English and take his place at the top.

LEE PRIEST CONTEST HISTORY:

2006 PDI Night of Champions Britain, 8th

2006 PDI Night of Champions, 9th

2006 IFBB Grand Prix Australia, 2nd

2006 IFBB Arnold Classic, 6th

2006 IFBB Ironman Pro, 1st

2005 IFBB Iron Man Pro Invitational, 2nd

2005 IFBB Arnold Classic, 4th

2005 IFBB Grand Prix Australia, 7th

2004 IFBB San Francisco Pro Invitational, 2nd

2004 IFBB Ironman Pro, 2nd

2003 IFBB Mr. Olympia, 15th

• 2002 Mr. Olympia – 6th
• 2002 San Francisco Pro Invitational – 1st
• 2002 SAN FRANCISCO GRAND PRIX – 1st
• 2002 IFBB Arnold Classic – 4th
• 2002 IRONMAN PRO INVITATIONAL – 2nd
• 2001 Ironman 7th, after bad virus

• 2000 Mr. Olympia 6th Place
• 2000 Night of Champions 5th Place Night of Fixes
• 1999 Ironman 6th Place
• 1999 Mr. Olympia – IFBB, 9th
• 1999 Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, 6th
• 1998 Olympia – IFBB, 7th
• 1997 San Jose Pro Invitational – IFBB, 4th
• 1997 Olympia – IFBB, 6th
• 1997 Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, 2nd
• 1997 Grand Prix Spain – IFBB, 3rd
• 1997 Grand Prix Russia – IFBB, 9th
• 1997 Grand Prix Hungary – IFBB, 3rd
• 1997 Grand Prix Germany – IFBB, 3rd
• 1997 Grand Prix Finland – IFBB, 9th
• 1997 Grand Prix England – IFBB, 6th
• 1997 Grand Prix Czech Republic – IFBB, 5th
• 1997 Arnold Classic – IFBB, 7th
• 1996 San Jose Pro Invitational – IFBB, 6th
• 1996 Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, 4th
• 1995 South Beach Pro Invitational – IFBB, 4th
• 1995 Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, 3rd
• 1995 Florida Pro Invitational – IFBB, 4th
• 1995 Arnold Classic – IFBB, 9th
• 1994 San Jose Pro Invitational – IFBB, 7th

• 1994 Night of Champions – IFBB, 12th
• 1994 Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, 4th
• 1994 Arnold Classic – IFBB, 7th
• 1993 Niagara Falls Pro Invitational – IFBB, 9th
• 1990 World Amateur Championships – IFBB, LightWeight,4th
• 1990 World Amateur Championships – IFBB, 4th
• 1990 Mr Australia – IFBB, Overall Winner
• 1989 Mr Australia – IFBB, Overall Winner

Although the Phils are in first place in their division, it is mostly by default. Lidge came crashing back down to earth with an 0-3, 7.86 ERA with 13 saves in 29 games before going on the disabled list. Ryan Madson stepped into the stopper’s role and had nearly as many blown saves (three) as saves (four). With Lidge making his first appearance in nearly three weeks, the fans at Citizen’s Bank Ballpark can only hope that the 2008 version is the one coming back.

Philadelphia leads the Mets – another team decimated by injuries –  by one full game in the National League East with a very paltry 38-34 mark, by far the weakest division leader in Major League Baseball. Considering that we are not even at the half way point in the season yet, it may come down to who can keep the most warm bodies on the field.

Photo by Bill Menzel

The event was extremely successful last summer and admission will be free once again this year.

Stay tuned right here at MuscleSport Mag for updates on the show and recaps of last year’s action, which included open and novice bodybuilding (men and women), and figure competitions. 

The legendary Bill Grant will once again bring his “old school” style of bodybuilding to today’s fans of the sport and the 1972 Mr. America and 1974 Mr. World will be promoting the event for the fourth consecutive year. It will be a part of the four-day Lehigh Valley SportsFest, which includes over 40 athletic events and draws more than 10,000 athletes and 150,000 spectators. 

Lurie, 86, is one of the most recognizable names in the industry and has seen it all. Even marginal fans of bodybuilding have come across the name Dan Lurie while lifting weights by looking at the name on the actual plates. 

Lurie’s involvement in the inaugural Mr. & Mrs. Jones Beach USA contest last summer gave it immediate credibility and we will also be discussing the 2009 show, which will take place on Long Island on August 9. (www.jonesbeachusa.com)

His official website is www.danlurie.com.

MuscleSport Radio can be heard live every Tuesday from 1:00 to 2:00 PM Eastern time on www.blogtalkradio.com and all episodes are archived on Blog Talk Radio, MuscleSport Mag and iTunes. 

Please feel free to join us and give us your opinion, ask Dan a question or make a comment. Our call-in number is 347-884-8157.

$12,000 was needed to be raised just to get female bodybuilding back in Tampa for the 2010 show. That number was eclipsed by $5,000 and because of that, it will be back on the schedule in August. 

Not only is it occurring, but the winner’s purses have been widened because of the additional capital raised. 

This is proof that female bodybuilding is a sport that needs to be a part of every contest held and the communities of these two websites should be lauded for their enthusiastic approach in not only getting the job done but in the lightning fast manner in which they did so.