Dorian Yates shares his opinion on Women’s Bodybuilding and why it has declined over the years.
The Olympia 2020 will be significant for the Women’s Bodybuilding division. It’s the first time the Ms. Olympia competition will be present since 2014. But why did it disappear from the lineup in the first place? And why has it, until potentially recently, declined over the years? We pulled an unseen interview segment with Dorian Yates from the cutting room floor of Generation Iron 3 to view some of his insight into the matter. In our latest GI Exclusive Vault interview, Dorian Yates believes that Women’s Bodybuilding simply isn’t appealing enough to majority of fans.
Dorian Yates has always been a bodybuilder that isn’t afraid to bluntly state his opinions on bodybuilding topics. This has become especially true after he retired. He is an opinionated man who has no qualms letting his thoughts be known. That’s why whenever we have an opportunity to interview Yates it’s a pleasure to see unfold.
With the Women’s Bodybuilding division returning to the Olympia 2020 this December, we decided to pull this GI Exclusive Vault interview clip from Generation Iron 3. In the clip, Dorian Yates answers why Women’s Bodybuilding had declined over the years. His answer is blunt, perhaps disappointing to those who love the division, but also perhaps true.
“I think it’s [Women’s Bodybuilding] just not appealing to the vast majority of people,” Dorian Yates states in our interview. He continues:
“And that’s why they don’t have now a Ms. Olympia… Even though I’m a bodybuilder, I’m not a fan of Women’s Bodybuilding. I respect their work and their dedication that goes in but I don’t like the look… that’s just my personal opinion.”
That being said, Dorian Yates also acknowledges the double standard in the lack of interest. Here’s what he had to say about the lack of “femininity” in the division:
“If it’s bodybuilding, it’s bodybuilding. It’s like, if it’s running, it’s running. You can’t say to a woman, well, don’t run too fast because it’s not feminine.”
So perhaps Dorian Yates is right. Perhaps most audiences just don’t find the Women’s Bodybuilding division appealing. Lack of interest means lack of audience. Without an audience, the division starts to collapse.
But maybe we should be asking the question: why do so many people find it unappealing? As Dorian Yates said, to limit an entire gender in regards to muscle mass and accomplishment seems unfair. While there is no official rule limiting muscle mass in the division, it seems the public at large just isn’t ready for that kind of look on a woman.
Perhaps over time this will change. Having the Olympia weekend bring back Ms. Olympia is a step in the right direction. Only time will tell how it plays out moving forward.
You can watch Dorian Yates’ full comments in our latest GI Exclusive Vault interview segment above. You can also watch (or rewatch) Generation Iron 3 on digital. Click here or the banner beloew to get your own digital copy!
