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Arūnas Petraitis,
the general secretary of Lithuanian Bodybuilding Federation
President of International Federation of BodyBuilders (IFBB) Ben Weider visited Lithuania in early spring of 1991, some more than ten years ago. This visit became prophetical sign – International
Olympic Committee recreated the rights of Lithuanian Olympic Committee (LTOK) in meeting of executive committee in Berlin as soon as half of year passed after this visit.
Meetings of Ben Weider
The president of IFBB Ben Weider visited Vilnius on 29 –
31 of March 1991, by invitation of Romanas Kalinauskas, witch
was the president of Lithuanian Bodybuilding Federation at this
time. As soon as he arrived in Vilnius, Ben Weider had a meeting
with Vytautas Landsbergis, chairman of Lithuanian Parliament.
Ben Weider handed to him the highest award of IFBB –
“Distinguished Service Award”.
There took a place a conversation with prim minister
Gediminas Vagnorius.
Later Vytautas Landsbergis sent a letter to Ben Weider with
thanks for this gesture as for the sign of returning of Lithuanian
athletes to the international scene.
On 30-th March 1991 took a place meeting of Ben
Weider with Arturas Poviliunas, the president of Lithuanian NOC,
Algirdas Raslanas, general director of Lithuanian department of
Physical culture and sports, Valerijus Jasiunas, chief of Olympic
Academy, and active of Lithuanian Bodybuilding Federation.
“We needed support and good word especially. That’s
why Ben Weider’s visit was disposed sign, something that let us
keep and strengthen our hope,” – remembered about meeting
president of Lithuanian NOC Arturas Poviliunas.
The president of IFBB was the first leader of International
Sport Organizations witch came with visit to independent
Lithuania. Federation leading by Ben Weider is the only
recognized by GAISF.
IFBB was the first international organization that
recognized Lithuanian Bodybuilding Federation
Lithuanian bodybuilders haven’t competed in USSR
championships since 1990 when was declared the independence
of Lithuania. Lithuanian athletes had no possibilities to take part
in others international competitions because Lithuanian
Bodybuilding Federation wasn’t a member of International
Federation.
Ben Weider persuaded Lithuanian Bodybuilding Federation and
Lithuanian Olympic Committee in his letter, dated 27 08 1991,
that he would make all efforts to make possible participation of
Lithuanian athletes in the World Bodybuilding Championships in
Poland.
Ben Weider kept his promise – on the 3-th of September
Lithuanian Bodybuilding Federation received a message from
Montreal. All executive members of IFBB approved recognition of
Lithuanian Bodybuilding Federation. This recognition was
approved by IFBB International Congress in Katovice (Poland), 27
09 1991.
IFBB was the first International Sport Federation in the World, in
witch competition athletes of independent Lithuanian took a part.
Roots in Poland in 1971
The first contact between Ben Weider and Lithuanian enthusiasts
of bodybuilding took place in Poland in 1971. Mr. Weider met
representatives of Lithuania - Romanas Kalinauskas, Juozas
Jusevičius, Vytautas Jankauskas on 22 – 23 of May. Since this
time Lithuanian bodybuilders and IFBB have kept close contact,
witch one after 20 years was completed as official recognition.
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