Natural Olympia

INBA NATURAL OLYMPIA XI Saturday 8th November 2008 San Francisco, USA. What is the INBA Natural Olympia? The INBA Natural Olympia is recognised as the pinnacle and most prestigious of natural bodybuilding events - an international, 5 year minimum drug-free competition for the best of the best natural athletes who qualify to compete. History of the INBA Natural Olympia: In 1995 Wayne McDonald developed and hosted the World Natural Cup in Australia - the first international drug-free natural physique event outside America. This was the beginning of the International Natural Bodybuilding Association (INBA) which was officially formed in 1997 by Denny Kakos, President of the American Bodybuilding Association. In 1998 Denny Kakos as INBA World President, staged the first Natural Olympia in the land of the original athlete, Greece. Year Location 1998 Corinthos, Greece 1999 Los Angeles, USA 2000 Melbourne, Australia 2001 Hawaii, USA 2002 Phoenix, USA 2003 Auckland, New Zealand 2004 Las Vegas, USA 2005 Las Vegas, USA 2006 Perth, Australia 2007 Thessaloniki, Greece 2008 San Francisco, USA 2009 To be announced soon 2008 TEAM AUSTRALIA INTERNATIONAL TOUR In 2008, the INBA are staging two international events one week apart to give international competitors more highlights for travelling. The first event is the Natural Olympia in San Francisco. Competitors should leave around Wed (5th) or Thurs (6th) November to recover from jet-lag. Natural Olympia Registration and formalities start on Friday November 7th. The Natural Olympia event will be held in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Hotel where competitors will also stay. Please book early to ensure you have a room. Call the hotel on 0011+1+650+259 6620 and quote “Natural Olympia” to get your room at the discount price of $119. The highlight of the 2008 Natural Olympia will be a car awarded to the winner of the Professional Mr Natural Olympia. The second event is the Natural Universe in Corona (Los Angeles) on Saturday 15th November. The day after the Universe will be a special Competitors Party hosted by the World President at his mansion in Corona. 2008 INBA Natural Olympia

Location:	San Francisco, USA
Date:	Saturday November 8th.
Venue:	Marriott Grand Ballroom with 1500 seating capacity
Host Hotel:	San Francisco Airport Marriott, 1800 Old Bayshore Highway, Burlingame, California 94010 USA. Call the hotel on 0011+1+650+259 6620 and quote “Natural Olympia 2008 code: INBINBA” to get your room at the discount price of $119. Event on site. 5 minutes from SF International Airport, 15 minutes from Downtown and right on San Francisco Bay.
Entry Form:	Including further Event Information is available on page "Forms - Entry"
Registration:	Friday 7th, 8am – Noon. Followed at 1pm with Team Photos against the San Francisco skyline.
Prejudging:	8 AM
Show:	3 PM
Award Dinner:	10 PM ($50) Includes a sit-down 3 course dinner and the inaugural INBA Hall of Fame presentation.

2008 INBA Natural Universe

Location:	Corona (LA), USA
Date:	Saturday November 15th.
Venue:	Santiago High School Auditorium, 1395 Foothill Pkwy, Corona.
Host Hotel:	Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites Corona. 1550 Circle City Drive, Corona. 0011+1+951-479-4000 or E-Mail , Use Code "Bodybuilding Championships" $109 for single or 2 double beds.
Entry Form:	Including further Event Information is available on page "Forms - Entry"
Registration:	8 AM
Prejudging:	10 AM
Show:	4 PM
After Party:	Following Day

How to Qualify on the Australian Team
1. Top 3 in each INBA Australian event during 2008 will not only qualify for the 2008 Australian Titles but will provisionally qualify for the 2008 INBA Natural Olympia.
2. Competitors who placed in the top 3 at the 2007 Australian titles and thereby qualified for the 2008 National Titles - have already provisionally qualified for the 2008 Natural Olympia.
The condition in relation to the Natural Olympia provisionally qualification is competitors must also compete in the Australian Titles - however your place at the Australian Titles will not effect your Natural Olympia qualification.
3. The Gold Medallist of each 2007 Natural Olympia division has qualified directly and can go directly into the 2008 San Francisco Natural Olympia to defend their title.

Why offer a provisional "early" qualification in 2008?
In 2007 Australia used a provisional qualification to enable competitors to be plan to compete in the 10th anniversary of the INBA Natural Olympia in Greece. Unlike other Countries who hold their national and qualifying events months prior, Australians only qualify weeks prior. The 2007 Competitors found the process invaluable and we have adopted the same process for the 2008 San Francisco. By providing an 'early qualification' allows competitors to plan and save for what often is a trip of a life-time. We understand this takes time to consider, decide and organize. INBA also understands that many employers require staff to apply for annual leave months prior to taking holidays. As importantly, early qualification allows those using airline Frequent Flyer programs a chance to book early enough to get an available flight.

Finally, are you wondering why you have to compete at the Australian Titles enroute to the Natural Olympia? Simply because the purpose of an early qualification is to give competitors concrete notice so they can plan, prepare and organize such a big and long trip. A provisional qualification is not designed to change the process that is normally required.

Travelling Advice for Australian Competitors
Minimum time required to get over jet lag is one hour for every hour you spend travelling. Try to arrive in the afternoon or evening so you can sleep and wake at the correct time. When you board the plane in your Country, adjust your watch to the time in Greece and eat according to the time there. Same applies to sleep. Drink plenty of water. Eat Lightly. When booking your airline ticket, ask for low fat meals to be served. But also take your own food and water on the plane with your carry-on luggage. Also take some packaged food, so you can survive for several meals without the stress of finding bodybuilding food immediately. Remembering you will not be able to take any unpackaged food, regardless if it is cooked, into Greece. If you take supplements, keep them in original containers in case custom officials want to inspect your "pills and white powder".

Consider using melatonin tablets (5-8 mg) before bed. This will help you overcome jetlag, the stress of travelling and help you sleep. Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland and in response to darkness. During the day melatonin levels are low. Melatonin can help reset the body clock. Melatonin is not available in Australia, but you can buy some in Countries like Singapore and America.

Don't be critical about your contest condition as you can expect to be 20% off your local contest condition due to the rigours of travel however, everyone is similarly handicapped. That why I say those who win international events are those who travel best and do not get upset by unexpected situations. Try and plan so you can be very self reliant.

If you are tanning in the hotel, bring your own sheets and pillow case to sleep in the bed. Otherwise, can can get away with just a pillow case and old "jammies" to sleep in. Hotels usually pass-out when they see the tanning stains left behind by bodybuilders and can charge you an outrageous cleaning fee.

One important message about competing internationally - expect the worst. The way another country runs a contest may vary from what you expect. Purely because each Countries uses a slightly different format. Also, International promoters only know the extent of who is competing at the last moment. It can throw the day into chaos. So be flexible in your mind and last minute preparation.

Natural Olympia Medallions & Awards
The top three placings in each division are presented with the most sought after trophy in natural bodybuilding, the INBA (6" or 15cm) Gold, Silver and Bronze Natural Olympia Medals. Moreover, each Natural Olympia competitor receives a uniquely crafted Participation Medallion to recognise their achievement in reaching the biggest natural stage.