The biggest show in bodybuilding
The 60th Mr. Olympia competition is set to be the marquee event of the 2024 Olympia Weekend, hosted in Las Vegas, Nevada. This year’s showdown will span two evenings, with the pre-judging taking place on Friday, October 11, and the highly anticipated finals scheduled for Saturday, October 12.
Originally, 19 athletes qualified for the competition, but with Tonio Burton withdrawing, 18 contenders remain. The winner will take home the iconic Sandow Trophy along with $400,000 in prize money, making it the biggest cash award in bodybuilding for 2024.
2024 Mr. Olympia Competitors
Here’s the lineup of athletes, in order of their qualification:
- Derek Lunsford (USA) — Reigning Champion
- Hadi Choopan (Iran)
- Samson Dauda (UK)
- Theo Leguerrier (France)
- Rafael Brandao (Brazil)
- Martin Fitzwater (USA)
- Akim Williams (USA)
- Brandon Curry (USA)
- William Bonac (Netherlands)
- Behrooz Tabani (Iran)
- Nathan De Asha (UK)
- John Jewett (USA)
- Mohamed Foda (Egypt)
- Jonathan Delarosa (USA)
- Andrew Jacked (UAE)
- Hunter Labrada (USA)
- Bruno Santos (Brazil)
How Athletes Qualify for the Olympia
According to IFBB Pro League rules, previous Olympia winners have a lifetime invitation to compete but must request approval from IFBB President Jim Manion if they’ve been absent from the event for more than five years. The top three finishers from the prior Olympia automatically qualify for the next year. Beyond that, athletes must win a professional show during the qualification season, which concluded on September 15, 2024. Special invitations are rarely given, and none are expected this year.
Past Champions in the Lineup
This year’s competition includes three previous titleholders: defending champion Derek Lunsford, 2022 champion Hadi Choopan, and 2019 champion Brandon Curry. Curry is in his final year of automatic eligibility, while 2020 and 2021 winner Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay has opted not to compete.
The last time multiple past champions stood on the same Olympia stage was in 2020, when Curry competed alongside seven-time winner Phil Heath and 2008 champion Dexter Jackson.
Main Contenders
Lunsford and Choopan, the top two finishers in 2023, are the primary contenders this year. Samson Dauda, who finished third at last year’s Olympia and second at both the 2024 Arnold Classic and Arnold Classic UK, is another strong candidate. While Dauda’s massive size and structure are a threat, Lunsford and Choopan’s superior conditioning has consistently given them the edge.
Other high-caliber athletes include Andrew Jacked and Hunter Labrada. Both are past top-five finishers, with Jacked known for his incredible mass and symmetry, while Labrada combines muscular density with expert-level posing.
Dark Horse Competitors
Several competitors could potentially break into the top six if any of the favorites falter. Olympia newcomer Martin Fitzwater has attracted attention, with four-time Olympia champ Jay Cutler naming him as someone to watch. Nathan De Asha, who last competed in the Olympia in 2018, is making a return after dealing with injuries and travel complications in recent years. Two-time Arnold Classic winner William Bonac, who was runner-up in the 2019 Olympia, is still considered a top contender a decade after his Olympia debut.
Nick Walker Drops Out of 2024 Olympia
While many fans were expecting to see Nick Walker stepping on stage at this year’s Mr. Olympia contest, he has unfortunately dropped out of this year’s contest.
Check out the full story here: Nick Walker Drops Out of 2024 Olympia
Watching the Event
For fans unable to attend in person, the Olympia Weekend will be available via a pay-per-view livestream, covering both the pro and amateur events. More details will be posted on the Olympia’s official website closer to the event date.
Stay tuned to bodybuilding media for further updates and in-depth coverage from Generation Iron leading up to and during the 2024 Mr. Olympia.
