Las Vegas is known for two things in particular; gambling and incidences you don't tell your significant other upon return from your visit to the Sin City. Okay I may be exaggerating a tad considering all the entertainment Vegas offers. Most people are familiar with all the grand scale-boxing matches and UFC cards that take place there. However most people don't realize that Vegas is the host city for the annual Mr. Olympia bodybuilding contest. The Olympia show isn't your typical sporting event that makes it on the TSN highlights. So I thought I'd enlighten everyone to the most recent Olympia's interesting outcome.

In 2008, it seemed that the Olympia was turning a new leaf. Dexter Jackson, who stands a modest 5'6” in height and always comes in as the lighter of competitors, had never won an Olympia. Always in phenomenal shape, Jackson just doesn't possess the sheer mass to which the judges are typically drawn. Many bodybuilding enthusiasts felt this to be a real shame because Jackson's physique was always one that was more appealing and reminiscent of the glory days when competitors such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Frank Zane still looked “human” yet managed to win several contests. However in 2008, Jackson came in looking better than ever and regardless of his lack of size compared to the rest of the crop, there was no denying his fantastic symmetry and conditioning.

His efforts were awarded appropriately with the 2008 Olympic Sandow trophy and many believed this to be the start of a new and improved Olympia judging criteria — slim stomachs with great conditioned bulk, which used to be the ideal in the 70s era. 2006-2007 Champion Jay Cutler came up short in second place and just didn't bring the look that wooed the judges in previous outings. But Cutler wasn't looking to pack it in just yet.

The 2009 contest rolled around and competitors showed up on stage in fine fashion. Then came the absolute showstopper. A new and improved Cutler who not only managed to add more muscle over the year, but came with his leanest form in over a decade! It was a definite “Okay, so who is competing for second?” moment.

Branch Warren, who had placed somewhat poorly the previous year, shocked everyone when he edged out Jackson for second place. Jackson showed up well conditioned as always and many people were upset with the result. But I think what played into Warren's favour was the fact that he improved his physique so much from the previous year. Should the superior physique place higher? Absolutely. Did Jackson look better that night? You can make arguments for both sides. However, there was no denying Warren was the most improved of all competitors, and when the judges see such a transformation over the course of one year, you're going to get rewarded handsomely.

Then there was Cutler in all his glory. Nobody could argue that he wasn't deserving of first place. On that day, he may have possessed the biggest yet most defined physique I have ever seen on a human being. Sometimes a humbling loss such as the one handed to him from Jackson in 2008 is what somebody needs to bring out the best in him or her. Cutler's sculpted body and post win interview comments could not have proved any truer — “Jackson had the trophy on borrowed time.”