As the bodybuilding season starts, a comment by Fouad Abiad has ignited a debate over the future of women's bodybuilding.

A clip of a conversation between Sam Hayer and Fouad Abiad on the Real Bodybuilding Network podcast has been making rounds. Fouad Abiad spoke candidly about the future and sustainability of women's bodybuilding.

"It's upto the women that care about their sport to do the work and be there and be the promoters and be the ones that show up to the shows, buy the tickets, and make it so that people want to watch women's bodybuilding. Nobody is going to do this for them."

The conversation arose in response to eight-time Ms. Olympia champion Lenda Murray sparking discussion by asking whether women's bodybuilding could be facing a decline.

But her main focus was on the condition of women's bodybuilding, where opportunities are in abundance but participation is scarce.

Abiad contradicted her claim by stating that the time for structural barriers in women's bodybuilding is over. Today, there is enough support for the sport to flourish. So, instead of whining, advocates of the sport should invest their time and money to create opportunities.

He even suggested Murray, being an influential figure in the field, could revive the sport by organizing women-centric bodybuilding events.

Lenda Murray's remarks on the decline of women's bodybuilding

Speaking about her own experience, she highlighted how scarce the opportunities were in her initial years. She recalled that even after being the 1989 North American champion, she wasn't invited to competitions like the Arnold Classic.

"I was recognized as one of the best new pros on the stage, and I wasn't invited, but I had to suit up, and I showed up, and each of us have a responsibility and we all can participate and come together collectively."

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Written by

Ruwa Javed

Edited by

Joyita Das