Mr Olympia 2012: Full Schedule, Preview and Predictions

If you don’t know what the 2012 Mr. Olympia bodybuilding, fitness and performance event is, you have been missing out on one of the most unique and intriguing competitions on the sports calendar.

The world’s fittest humans and general exercise enthusiasts gather at this convention to share tips and compete for illustrious titles. While there are many events, the biggest prizes and most respect go to Mr. and Ms. Olympia.

With a full weekend of action ahead of the competitors, here is all the info you as a fan would need to understand and enjoy the wild entertainment.

Where: Orleans Arena, Las Vegas, NV

When: Thursday, Sept. 27 through Sunday, Sept. 30

Watch: Live Stream via Bodybuilding.com

Full Schedule of Events

Thursday, Sept. 27

Mr. Olympia Press Conference—12:00 p.m. PT

Meet the Olympians—7:00 p.m. PT

Friday Sept. 28

Olympia Expo—10:00 a.m. PT to 5:00 p.m. PT

Olympia Kickboxing—10:00 a.m. PT to 5:00 p.m. PT

Olympia Arm Wars Super Series—10:00 a.m. PT to 5:00 p.m. PT

Olympia Pro Powerlifting Championships—10:00 a.m. PT to 5:00 p.m. PT

Olympia’s US Air Force Xtreme Fit Challenge—10:00 a.m. PT to 5:00 p.m. PT

Men's Fitness Ultimate Athlete—10:00 a.m. PT to 5:00 p.m. PT

BSN’s Olympia Best of the West Grappling Championships—10:00 a.m. PT

MHP's X-FIT Strongman Fan Experience—10:30 a.m. PT – 12:30 p.m. PT

IFBB Pro League Women's Judging: Fitness, Bikini, Figure and Ms. Olympia—10:30 a.m. PT

212 Showdown – Athlete Weigh-Ins—12:30 p.m. PT

BPI's FLEX Magazine's Bikini Model Search - Judging—1:00 p.m. PT

Muscle & Fitness Model Search Judging—1:00 p.m. PT

MHP's Olympia Strongman Challenge—1:00 p.m. PT

Olympia Sumo Open—1:00 p.m. PT

Fitness, Bikini & Ms. Olympia Finals and Mr. Olympia Judging—7:00 p.m. PT

Saturday, Sept. 29

Olympia Expo—10:00 a.m. PT to 5:00 p.m. PT

Olympia Kickboxing—10:00 a.m. PT to 5:00 p.m. PT

Olympia Arm Wars Super Series—10:00 a.m. PT to 5:00 p.m. PT

Olympia Pro Powerlifting Championships—10:00 a.m. PT to 5:00 p.m. PT

Olympia’s US Air Force Xtreme Fit Challenge—10:00 a.m. PT to 5:00 p.m. PT

Men's Fitness Ultimate Athlete—10:00 a.m. PT to 5:00 p.m. PT

MHP's X-Fit Strongman Fan Experience—10:00 a.m. PT to 11:30 a.m. PT

BSN’s Olympia Best of the West Grappling Championships—10:00 a.m. PT

Olympia 212 Showdown Judging—10:30 a.m. PT

Olympia Sumo Open—11:00 a.m. PT

MHP's Olympia Strongman Challenge—12:00 p.m. PT

BPI's FLEX Magazine's Bikini Model Search Finals—1:00 p.m. PT

Muscle & Fitness Model Search Finals—1:00 p.m. PT

Olympia Arm Wars Super Heavyweight—2:00 p.m. PT

Olympia Arms Wars Super Series—3:00 p.m. PT

Figure, 212 Showdown & Mr. Olympia Finals—7:00 p.m. PT

Sunday, Sept. 30

Olympia Superstar Seminar—11:00 a.m. PT

Stars To Watch

Jay Cutler

For those that aren’t familiar with bodybuilding or are new to the Mr. Olympia competition, this is not the Jay Cutler that plays quarterback for the Chicago Bears—it’s safe to say he doesn’t have the physique for this competition.

Instead, this Jay Cutler has nothing to pout about. The four-time Mr. Olympia is one of the most decorated bodybuilders in the entire world and a superstar in the sport. While Cutler came in second in 2011, he is passing on 2012's competition, but will be there in support and to lend his expertise.

Up-and-comer Phil Heath stole first place last year, but Cutler was not refocused in time to give this year's event his full attention.  With a whole year of focus on this event for 2013, Cutler will be at his best.

Iris Kyle

This will seem bold, but it’s the truth; Iris Kyle is the single greatest female body builder in the history of the Mr. Olympia competition.  

At 38 years old, Kyle is going for her eighth overall title as Ms. Olympia and her seventh in a row.

While this year’s competition is full of younger stars that are looking to make a name for themselves, Kyle is as strong as ever and ready to continue her dominance over the sport into the future.

With no signs of slowing down, bodybuilders and fans of the sport should be taking note of the historic run the female star is on. This is history in the making.

Phil Heath

Jay Cutler may get all the attention, but the reigning Mr. Olympia Phil Heath could be the bodybuilder of the future. Built from the same mold as Cutler, many experts believe that Heath is just a younger version of the popular champion.

At just 32 years old, Heath is hitting his stride at the perfect time. If the young veteran can hold off the tough field this year and retain his title as Mr. Olympia, there is little doubt that we could be seeing the rise of the next great bodybuilding champion.

If Heath stays focused throughout his career, he has the physique to be one of the greatest of all time.

What They’re Saying

While doubters have come out in force after his loss in 2011, four-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler took to Twitter to remind fans who the most dominant bodybuilder of the last decade is:

"

Geez guys. I am 4X Mr Olympia

— Jay Cutler (@mrojaycutler) September 19, 2012"

MMA star Ronda Rousey is reporting on Twitter that she will also be at the Mr. Olympia convention, and talks about what she will be doing at the event:

"

And I think this is the pic being given away for the signings at the @teamgaspari booth at the mr Olympia expo... twitter.com/RondaRousey/st…

— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) September 23, 2012"

Predictions

Mr. Olympia Winner: Phil Heath, USA

After winning the title of Mr. Olympia in 2011, the 32-year-old phenom is looking to continue his reign as champion without the competition of his biggest threat, Jay Cutler.

With Cutler out of the competition in 2012, Heath has the clear road to another championship as long as he takes this as serious as he did last year. While his opponents are impressive, Heath is the cream of the crop.

Ms. Olympia Winner: Iris Kyle, USA

There aren’t too many experts that could pick against Iris Kyle after her recent run of success, and I will certainly not be one. Until this woman proves she is beatable, her title as Ms. Olympia will remain safe.

Kyle makes it nine overall and eight in a row—unbelievable.

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