OFFICIAL AND NOT OFFICIAL CZECHOSLOVAKIA.

MEETINGS AT SPORT MINISTRY.

BEGINNING. SITUATION IN SOCIALIST WORLD.

Bodybuilding sport has never been created and developed by athletes. Bodybuilding was developed by top officials and organizers. On the bodybuilding way to future organizers were building the road to sport. Bodybuilders were like kilometre signs at this road. Often organizers led bodybuilding wrong way. Today problems of bodybuilding are evident and guilty persons are known very well.

Contemporary bodybuilding does not appear as it is. Only few persons dared to act when bodybuilding was prohibited in Socialist Countries. Being afraid of prosecution nearly all bodybuilders left the sport.

We will speak about bodybuilding in Czechoslovakian SSR – they influenced all Socialist Countries. Now after fifty years we look upon our relations with Czechoslovaks from another angle.

Due to political reasons bodybuilding was prohibited in Socialist World in 1973. Socialist States started to prosecute bodybuilders. After 1968 revolution in Czechoslovakia their Government was lojal to bodybuilders. Comparing with other Socialist Countries after the revolution U.S.S.R. political powers let Czechoslovaks much more. At the same time bodybuilders in other Socialist Countries suffered much. Everybody envied the Czechoslovaks. There is no another person who was and still is close to Czechoslovak bodybuilding so much as President W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. (World Fitness Federation, World Bodybuilding Federation)  International DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS.

Activities of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS were supported only by the leader of bodybuilding in Estonian SSR INNAR MARDO (Иннар Мардо, 1945 – 2002) and creators of famous „Vilnius Bodybuilding School“ («Вильнюсская школа культуризма») CESLAV TAMULEVIC (Чеслав Тамулевич) and VITALIJ ASOVSKIJ (Виталий Асовский). Today we are proud that we respected both of them in time – at the Parliament Republic Lithuania both received „International Honour Silver Medals“ («Международной Серебрянной Медалью Почёта», „Tarptautinis Garbės Sidabro Medalis“).

During the prohibition of bodybuilding only few officially permitted not regular contests were held in Tallinn (Estonian SSR). That was the International „Georg Tenno Memorial“ („Georgo Tenno memorialas“, «Мемориал Георга Тенно», 1971 – 2024). Also at the same time several underground and not officially permitted contests were organized in Lithuanian SSR. It lasted until in 1978 DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS dared to write bodybuilding defending petition and brought it to Headquarters of the Central Committee of the U.S.S.R. Communist Party in Moscow.

This way we got political permittion to organize the International „Amber Prix“ („Gintarinis prizas“, «Янтарный приз»  1968 - 2025) in Klaipeda (Lithuania SSR) in 1978.

Being afraid of prosecution all other U.S.S.R. bodybuilding organizers did nothing. After defeat at 1974 „Georg Tenno Memorial“ best R.S.F.S.R. bodybuilder VLADIMIR DUBININ (Владимир Дубинин) isolated himself and left bodybuilding for thirteen years. Until 1987 VLADIMIR DUBININ was not among bodybuilding organizers, he was only athlete. Only in 1980 representing their gyms Russians led by VLADIMIR SUBOV (Владимир Шубов, Moscow) and EUGENE KOLTUN (Евгений Колтун, Tiumen) started participating at bodybuilding contests in Baltic Countries. Both were representing their bodybuilding gyms that were acting illegally.

IMPORTANT 1975. MEETINGS AT SPORT MINISTRY.

Bodybuilders went on their own way when bodybuilding was prohibited in Socialist Countries in 1973. There was no communication in between. Nearly no...

In 1975 bodybuilders of the Chechoslovakian SSR got permittion to participate in the „West“ due to efforts of the President of Czechoslovakia Bodybuilding Federation VOJTECH FIALA. After 1968 revolution in Czechoslovakian SSR Czechoslovaks had many advantages comparing with other Socialist Countries. This way led by VOJTECH FIALA Czechoslovakia bodybuilders participated at the 1975 I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) Europe Championship. Then PETR STACH won his category and became the Over All Europe Champion. Since that time for long time on Czechoslovakia bodybuilders were the only ones permitted to participate at the „Western“ competitions.

In 1975 basing on the exchange of the University students DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS went to Czechoslovakia for two months. In Prague DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS met VOJTECH FIALA. During the following two months their meetings were often. Both had enough time to speak over the International bodybuilding situation. VOJTECH FIALA organized a visit to PETR STACH who was living close to Prague. PETR STACH told about the Europe Championship and explained DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS about his training systems and posed in front of him.

At the same time VOJTECH FIALA organized the meeting of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS with the Chairmen of the Ministry of sport of the Czechoslovakian SSR (Č.S.T.V., Československy Svaz Telesne Vychovy). Questions of the situation around bodybuilding was spoken over. VOJTECH FIALA wanted to demonstrate his good relations with the U.S.S.R. bodybuilding leaders and  since 1973 DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS was the only one to visit his country. Seeking to learn about the situation of bodybuilding in the U.S.S.R. Czechoslovaks addressed one of the U.S.S.R. bodybuilding pioneers GENADIJ BALDIN (Геннадий Балдин). GENADIJ BALDIN wrote them that bodybuilding in the U.S.S.R. is dead and only some bodybuilding organizers in the Baltic Countries still unofficially develop this sport on underground level.

1977 MEETINGS AT SPORT MINISTRY.

In 1977 still as a student of Vilnius State University DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS for two months went to Czechoslovakia again. Again working on the future cooperation between the U.S.S.R. and Czechoslovakian SSR bodybuilders DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS and VOJTECH FIALA visited the Ministry of Sport of  Czechoslovakian SSR. For the discussion meetings with the Chairmen of the Ministry were organized. In 1977 Czechoslovakian bodybuilding Federation had a room at the Ministry. Secretary of the federation was a famous bodybuilder PETER TLAPAK. He presented the headquarters of the federation, discussed the situation and posed in front of DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS.

VOJTECH FIALA for DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS organized a trip to a mountain resort where Czechoslovakia bodybuilders under support of the Government were preparing for the coming World Championship. DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS discussed various questions with athletes and trainers.

Also VOJTECH FIALA invited DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS to two meetings of the Czechoslovakia Bodybuilding Federation Council. The meetings were held by Professor FRANTISEK BULVA in the city of Brno. Under the requests of the participants DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS spoke on bodybuilding situation ion the U.S.S.R. and in Lithuania SSR.

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WORLD BODYBUILDING ENCYCLOPEDIA.

1970 – 1980 BEST U.S.S.R. BODYBUILDERS.

BEGINNING.

Working on the „World Bodybuilding Encyclopedia“ («Энциклопедией всемирного культуризма», „Pasaulinė kultūrizmo enciklopedija“) we are analysing lots of historic happenings and facts. Today we can list five bodybuilders of the U.S.S.R. who were most famous since 1970 until 1980. That were representing famous „Vilnius Bodybuilding School“ LEONAS PIVORIUNAS (his trainer was CESLAV TAMULEVIC, 1946 - 2021), VLADIMIR DUBININ (Владимир Дубинин, R.S.F.S.R., Leningrad, was training himself), representing „Vilnius Bodybuilding School“ PRANAS MURAUSKAS ((his trainer was CESLAV TAMULEVIC) and two Estonians - OLEV ANNUS and INDREK OTSUS. Both were trained by INNAR MARDO (1945 – 2002).

BEST BODYBUILDERS

For twenty years the only one in the World „Vilnius Bodybuilding School“ was making the road to develop bodybuilding in the U.S.S.R.. Until now no other bodybuilding school influenced bodybuilding sport and did the same in the World. The school was created by CESLAV TAMULEVICH. Later came his follower poet, writer and drama creator VITALIJ ASOVSKIJ (Виталий Асовский)). Both trainers did miracles with their pupils on stage. Everybody in the huge territory admired their works and tried to copy and follow them. About the ideas and works and future goals of the school VITALIJ ASOVSKIJ wrote a methodical story. Several years ago VITALIJ ASOVSKIJ proposed DSc. EDMUNDAS DAUBARAS to fulfil works and methods of the school at the competitions of the W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. International. Unfortunately bodybuilding is in so big problem now and it is a question of it‘s official survival. We think there is the only one way out – W.F.F. – W.B.B.F. International seeks recognition of the International Olympic Committee and it works on this very much.

PRANAS MURAUSKAS.

Representing „Vilnius Bodybuilding School“ PRANAS MURAUSKAS participated at bodybuilding contests since 1969 until 1974. He Always won his categories. Best result of PRANAS MURAUSKAS was the first place and the Over All Winner‘s title at the 1974 „Georg Tenno Memorial“ («Мемориал Георга Тенно») in Tallinn (Estonian SSR). Having International Standard shape PRANAS MURAUSKAS became very famous. Bodybuilding magazines and newspapers wrote much about him. He won against VLADIMIR DUBININ and OLEV ANNUS then and came into World‘s Bodybuilding History forever.

VLADIMIR DUBININ

Russian bodybuilder VLADIMIR DUBININ (Владимир Дубинин, 1948) since 1968 until 1974 participated at eleven competitions. His participation started with the second place at the 1968 National Championship of the Estonian SSR. Best results were first places at the 1970 and 1971 International Contests in Kaunas (Lithuanian SSR), 1971 and 1972 U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Cahmpionships («Чемпионат С.С.С.Р. по культуризму»), 1972 „Georg Tenno Memorial“ («Мемориал Георга Тенно», 1971 - 2024). Participation ended when VLADIMIR DUBININ lost his category at the 1974 „Georg Tenno Memorial“ to OLEV ANNUS (Estonian SSR). Since 1991 until 2019 he was President of the Nationaf I.F.B.B. federation of Russian Federation.

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WORLD BODYBUILDING HISTORY IN ONE PAGE.

ARTICLE IS ON THE WAY.

In the article we will speak about official sport only. We will cover World bodybuilding history shortly.

During the last Century World was didvided in to two parts – „Capitalist“ („Western“) and Socialist. Being in confrontation both parts communicated in between very little. Through A.A.U. („Amateur Athlete‘s Union“, established in 1888) basing on Olympic weightlifting sport in 1940 bodybuilding was controlled by USA weightlifting authority BOB HOFFMAN (Robert Collins Hoffman, 1898 - 1985 m.). Due to efforts of BOB HOFFMAN World‘s bodybuilding sterted to be governed by International F.I.H.C. (F.I.H., „Federation Internationale Halterophile“) federation. F.I.H.C. was a member of the International Olympic Committee (Tarptautinis Olimpinis Komitetas, I.O.C., М.О.К., Международный Олимпийский Комитет). This way bodybuilding became officially recognized sport. For many years there were many misunderstandings about the I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) commercial company. In 1946 one of founders of the I.F.B.B. BEN WEIDER wrote in his biography, saying he was so much happy when I.F.B.B. made it‘s first business – sold for several dollars two barbells... That was the start of the I.F.B.B. company. When I.F.B.B. commercial company started organizing bodybuilding contests – F.I.H.C. was leading World‘s bodybuilding at that time. Nobody could replace I.O.C. member F.I.H.C.. World‘s bodybuilding strategy was created and developed by F.I.H.C..

„Socialist“ bodybuilding was separated from the „Western“. Both did not communicate at all. In 1959 BOB HOFFMAN presenetd bodybuilding sport to Socialist countries. Influenced by BOB HOFFMAN International „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation“ («Федерация культуризма С.С.С.Р.») was created. It was governed by the „U.S.S.R. Ministry of Sport“ («Министерство спорта С.С.С.Р.»). The federation was not working. Then in 1968 another „U.S.S.R. Bodybuilding Federation“ was created in Kaunas (Lithuanian SSR). This federation was not under the U.S.S.R. Government and it was active until bodybuilding was prohibited in Socialist Countries in 1973.

WHAT HAPPENINGS ARE IMPORTANT IN OUR SPORT?

Before we start speaking about World bodybuilding history we should discuss about essential basics. Which happening are important in World bodybuilding history? We will speak about them now and later in the article.

Bodybuilder lifted impressive weight – is this important for sport in general?

Bodybuilder has impressive biceps - is this important for sport in general?

Bodybuilder won a definite contest - is this important for sport in general?

Let us make conclusion – this has no effect to the development of International Sport.

Let us have an example. One really big Lithuanian bodybuilder was invited to teach youngsters at the seminar. The best result of this bodybuilder is the winning first place at the contest of the International Federation of Homosexual Bodybuilders. There was no wins in his life, this bodybuilder is proud of having an “I.F.B.B. Pro Card”. But he never was even on the third place at the Pro competitions. And again - “I.F.B.B. Pro Card” of which I.F.B.B.? I.F.B.B. of RAFAEL SANTONJA or I.F.B.B. of JIM MANION? Anyway this has no value to the development of International bodybuilding sport. Even to Lithuania sport it has zero value…

Yes, there are exceptions. Let us speak about the life story of ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER. Millions of fans dream to follow his way. Be no naïve. We do not know anybody else in bodybuilding which wife represents powerful KENNEDY family or something similar to it. Basing on the KENNEDY FAMILY our ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER had success in Hollywood. Without Hollywood he would be as a number of other great bodybuilder of his time. Not better. KENNEDY family made ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER the Governor of the California State. KENNEDY family even started making steps to make of ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER the President of the United States. But one awful step and down behavior stopped the connections with KENNEDY family. This way ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER lost his family, he lost the Governor’s post and big future… Being on top of his life ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER could influence World’s bodybuilding sport so much. But refusing work together with WEIDER brothers JOE and BEN he went his own way. WEIDER brothers were seeking Olympic recognition at that time. The only one thing that remains for ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER is forty years lasting his competition “Arnold Classic”. But “Arnold Classic” is not recognized at any World’s country and it is just a private toy of ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER. It is not official.

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HONORARY DOCTORATE – DOCTOR HONORIS CAUSA The Highest International Recognition of a Lifetime of Achievement

In June 2013, Edmundas Daubaras, President of the World Fitness Federation (W.F.F.) and the World Body Building Federation (W.B.B.F.), paid an official visit to the city of Lviv, Ukraine.

Lviv, one of Eastern Europe's oldest cities, is renowned for its rich history, remarkable architectural heritage, and long-standing academic traditions. It was in this distinguished setting that an event of special significance took place—one recognizing Edmundas Daubaras' decades of international leadership and achievement.

Upon his arrival, the President of the W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. was officially welcomed by a delegation of the City of Lviv, which escorted him to the apartments of the prestigious Leopol Hotel.

The highlight of the visit was the solemn ceremony held at Lviv Stavropigion University, one of Ukraine's oldest institutions of higher education, whose origins date back to 1788. In recognition of more than three decades of outstanding international organizational, sporting, and public activity, the University's Academic Council conferred upon Edmundas Daubaras the honorary academic title of Doctor Honoris Causa (Doctor of Sciences, D.Sc.).

This distinction is among the highest academic honors awarded in recognition of exceptional contributions to society, international cooperation, science, sport, and culture.

The ceremony was attended by distinguished representatives of the academic community from Ukraine and neighboring countries. Among them were Professor Dr. Yaroslav Kmit (Ярослав Кміт), Rector of Lviv Stavropigion University and Vice President of the International UNESCO Programs Implementation Center, as well as Professor Viktor Idzio (Віктор Ідзьо), Rector of Moscow University, Academician of the International Eurasian Academy, and Academician of the Academy of Sciences of Higher Education of Ukraine, together with many other prominent scholars.

The honorary doctorate awarded to Edmundas Daubaras represented far more than personal recognition. It became an international acknowledgment of the global W.F.F.–W.B.B.F. movement, to whose development and worldwide expansion he devoted a substantial part of his life. Over the years, the organization united dozens of countries, organized numerous international championships, and established close cooperation with academic institutions, public organizations, and governmental bodies throughout the world.

Conclusion

The conferral of the honorary title Doctor Honoris Causa upon Edmundas Daubaras marked an important international recognition of his lifelong work and achievements. This distinguished academic honor confirmed that his decades of dedication to the global development of fitness and bodybuilding, the promotion of international cooperation, and the strengthening of international sports organizations had earned recognition not only within the sporting world but also from the academic community. It remains one of the most significant acknowledgments of Edmundas Daubaras' contribution to the history of international sport.

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NOTHING COMES FROM NOTHING The Emergence of Bodybuilding as a Sport

When discussing the history of bodybuilding, much attention is often given to the first strongmen, Eugen Sandow, and the physical culture movement of the early twentieth century. However, during that period bodybuilding was not yet an independent sport. There was no international governing body, no unified rules, and no official championships. It remained an activity pursued by a relatively small circle of enthusiasts.

The true emergence of bodybuilding as a sport began only when institutions assumed responsibility for its organization and international administration. For this reason, the decisive turning point in bodybuilding history occurred not in Europe, but in the United States.

Before the establishment of a governmental system for sports administration, virtually all amateur sports in the United States were governed by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), founded in 1888. One of its member organizations was the USA Weightlifting Federation, which belonged to the Fédération Internationale Haltérophile (FIH), the International Weightlifting Federation. Since the FIH was recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), its decisions carried official international authority.

One of the most influential figures in American and world weightlifting during this period was Bob Hoffman (Robert Collins Hoffman, 1898–1985), widely known as the "Father of American Weightlifting." Hoffman was not only a sports administrator but also an exceptionally successful entrepreneur. He manufactured sports equipment and nutritional supplements, published magazines and books, sponsored athletes, and established an international network promoting strength sports. These activities enabled him to exercise considerable influence far beyond the United States.

It was through Hoffman's initiative that, in 1947, the Fédération Internationale Haltérophile officially expanded its jurisdiction to include bodybuilding. The organization consequently adopted the name Fédération Internationale Haltérophile et Culturiste (FIHC) — the International Weightlifting and Bodybuilding Federation.

The importance of this decision can hardly be overstated. For the first time in history, bodybuilding ceased to be merely an activity promoted by individual clubs or private organizers and became a discipline officially administered by an internationally recognized sports federation.

This development provided bodybuilding with an institutional foundation. It became possible to establish national federations, organize official international championships, standardize judging criteria, and pursue broader recognition within the international sports community.

At that time, the AAU–FIHC structure directed by Bob Hoffman represented the world's strongest bodybuilding organization. Organizations operating outside this system—including the International Federation of BodyBuilders (IFBB), founded by brothers Joe and Ben Weider—faced considerably greater difficulties in organizing international competitions and expanding worldwide. This demonstrates that during the late 1940s the FIHC, rather than the IFBB, was the principal international authority governing bodybuilding.

Bob Hoffman's primary objective was not commercial success but the official recognition of bodybuilding as a legitimate sport. He pursued this goal consistently by working within the established international sports structure.

1947 – The First Official Mr. Universe Contest

Even before bodybuilding received international recognition, the AAU had organized the annual Mr. America contest since 1939, making it the most prestigious amateur bodybuilding championship in the United States. Nevertheless, no official world bodybuilding championship yet existed.

In 1947, on Bob Hoffman's initiative, the first international Mr. Universe contest in bodybuilding history was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in conjunction with the World Weightlifting Championships under the patronage of the FIHC.

Immediately before the competition, the FIHC Congress adopted a historic resolution officially assigning the federation responsibility for governing international bodybuilding and organizing regular international bodybuilding championships. This moment may therefore be regarded as the official beginning of international competitive bodybuilding.

The first overall Mr. Universe title was won by the distinguished American weightlifter and bodybuilder Steve Stanko, one of Bob Hoffman's closest protégés. His victory represented far more than an individual sporting achievement—it symbolized the birth of a new internationally organized sport.

Conclusion

Histories of bodybuilding often emphasize its early physique stars, famous performers, or the later rise of the IFBB. Historical documentation, however, demonstrates that the institutionalization of bodybuilding began in 1947, when the Fédération Internationale Haltérophile officially incorporated bodybuilding into its jurisdiction and became the Fédération Internationale Haltérophile et Culturiste (FIHC).

For this reason, 1947 should be regarded as the birth year of international competitive bodybuilding as an officially governed sport. From that moment onward, bodybuilding possessed an internationally recognized governing body, official world championships, and the organizational framework necessary for development as an independent sport. Regardless of the emergence of later organizations and their subsequent rivalry, the future growth of bodybuilding rested upon the institutional foundation established through Bob Hoffman's initiative in 1947.

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