Bodybuilding in Germany dates to at least 1812, and was focused around the gymnasium. Later it would develop a national governing organization that was internationally recognised. German competitors have competed in international competitions. Drug testing is done for the national championships.
| Bodybuilding in Germany | |
|---|---|
_-_Eugen_Sandow_(1867-1925)_11.jpg) Eugen Sandow, an early German bodybuilder | |
| Country | Germany |
| National team(s) | Germany |
History edit
1812 saw the start of Turnverein by Friedrich Ludwig Jahn, which started the tradition of muscle building in Germany focused around the gymnasium.[1] At least 1,500 gymnasiums existed in Germany by the 1870s with muscle mass building a component of what took place in them.[2]
The 1992 edition of the Ms. Olympia contest was held in Chicago, Illinois with 20 competitors, including at least one from Germany.[3] In 2003, the German National Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation was founded by Berend Breitenstein.[4] In 2003, the German National Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation became affiliated with the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation.[4] Frank Guenther won the men's world championship in 2003.[4] In 2004, the German National Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation organized the German National Bodybuilding Championships.[4] Frank Kaeger won the men's world championship in 2007.[4] In 2009, German competitor Sabine Streubel won the WNBF Pro World Championships in the women's category.[4] In 2012, the German National Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation became affiliated with the Drug Free Athletes Coalition and severed its relationship with the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation.[4]
Drug testing edit
The German National Bodybuilding Championships test competitors using a polygraph, and urine analysis for all winners.[4]
Governance edit
Germany has an organization that is a member of the European Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation.[5] The country has a national organization that is a recognized by the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness as a national federation, representing the country's bodybuilding community.[6]
References edit
- ^ David L. Chapman (1994). Sandow the Magnificent: Eugen Sandow and the Beginnings of Bodybuilding. University of Illinois Press. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-252-02033-9.
- ^ David L. Chapman (1994). Sandow the Magnificent: Eugen Sandow and the Beginnings of Bodybuilding. University of Illinois Press. p. 6. ISBN 978-0-252-02033-9.
- ^ Maria R. Lowe (1 January 1998). Women of Steel: Female Bodybuilders and the Struggle for Self-Definition. NYU Press. pp. 1–6. ISBN 978-0-8147-5276-0.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Berend Breitenstein (January 2013). Bodybuilding - Successful. Natural. Healthy. BoD – Books on Demand. ISBN 978-3-8482-4750-9.
- ^ "European Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation National Members". European Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation. 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ^ "International Federation Of Bodybuilding And Fitness". European Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation. 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2014.