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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Mr. Olympia

Mr.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Mr. Olympia is the title awarded to the winner of the professional men’s bodybuilding contest held at the Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend. The competition is sanctioned annually by the IFBB Pro League and is widely regarded as the top title in professional bodybuilding. It was first held in 1965, and Larry Scott won the inaugural event.

History

Mr. Olympia began in 1965 under Joe Weider’s promotion. The inaugural contest took place at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York City and was won by Larry Scott, who also won the second edition.

Competition format

The title is awarded to the winner of the men’s open bodybuilding division at Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend. It is an annual professional contest featuring elite bodybuilders from around the world.

Significance

Mr. Olympia is widely regarded as bodybuilding’s most prestigious professional title. Winning it is often treated as the sport’s highest achievement.

Notable champions

Past champions include Larry Scott, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lee Haney, and Ronnie Coleman. Lee Haney and Ronnie Coleman each won eight titles, the most in the competition’s history.

Key facts

  • Mr. Olympia is the annual title for the winner of the professional men’s open bodybuilding division.
  • Joe Weider created the contest to give Mr. Universe winners a professional stage and a chance to earn money.
  • The first Mr. Olympia contest was held at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York City in 1965.
  • The competition is part of Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend and is sanctioned by the IFBB Pro League.
  • The women’s equivalent title is Ms. Olympia.
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Canadian context

Mr. Olympia is of interest to Canadian bodybuilding fans and athletes because it is the sport’s top professional title and is followed internationally, including in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

What is Mr. Olympia?
Mr. Olympia is the title given to the winner of the professional men’s open bodybuilding contest at Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend.
Who created Mr. Olympia?
Joe Weider created the contest.
When was the first Mr. Olympia held?
The first Mr. Olympia was held on September 18, 1965.
Who won the first Mr. Olympia?
Larry Scott won the inaugural contest.
What is the women’s equivalent of Mr. Olympia?
The women’s equivalent title is Ms. Olympia.
Why is Mr. Olympia important?
It is widely considered the most prestigious title in professional bodybuilding.

References

  1. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mr-Olympia
    Supports: Annual bodybuilding competition, first held in 1965, global significance
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Olympia
    Supports: Definition, creator Joe Weider, first event date, first winner, Ms. Olympia equivalent
  3. Mr. Olympia — https://mrolympia.org/mr-olympia-all-winners/
    Supports: Historical overview, creator, first event, first winner