Friday kicks off the Olympia Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Two days full of visiting booths and getting free supplement samples may sound like a lot, but is only window dressing for what takes place there, as well.

The pre-judging of the Ms. Olympia, Fitness and Figure Olympia take place at the main stage here, as does the main portion of the 202 Showdown. Add in the FLEX Bikini Model Search and the Olympia’s Strongest Man contests and you can get your fill in this building alone.

But you wouldn’t dare miss the rest of the weekend’s activities, would you? At The Orleans Arena, the finals of the Ms. Olympia, Fitness and Figure Olympia and 202 Showdown take place. And if you’re lucky enough to get yourself into the after party, it gets going at 11 PM at The Orleans.

In 2008, Badell, 36, finished second at the Iron Man Pro, sixth at the Arnold Classic and 10th at the Olympia. So far this year, he has only competed once and placed 11th at the Arnold. This is a man who won the Iron Man in ’05 and the San Francisco Pro in ’06. Badell has also finished third at the 2004 and 2005 Mr. Olympias, so he has done well against the big boys in his career.

In his 11th year competing, the 5’8″, 240-pound Badell may not have many chances left at winning quality shows such as the Atlantic City. His experience and size will be pluses for him against a line-up that he should be able to handle. He must come in to the contest in top condition and having since March to prepare, there is no excuse if he does not.

2009 Atlantic City Pro IFBB Championships
Friday & Saturday, September 11&12th
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Promoted by
Stokley Palmer & Ron Goldstein

Men’s Open

1 Almohsinawi, Khalid (Netherlands)

2 Anthony, Melvin (USA)

3 Apperson, Lee (USA)

6 Chacon, Marcos (SPAIN)

7 Cohen, Simon (UNITED KINGDOM)

8 Dexter, Oscar (Tahiti)

15 Ojex, Bola (Nigeria)

16 Pelletier, Jocelyn (Canada)

17 Piotrkowicz, Robert (Poland)

23 Alves, Troy