The Spanish Association of Weightlifting, Bodybuilding, and Related Disciplines, legally established under Organic Law 1/2002, has issued a statement to inform and warn about certain entities that lack official recognition as sports federations. This notice responds to numerous inquiries and complaints received from the sports community.
Among its key objectives, the Association highlights the defense, development, and promotion of weightlifting, bodybuilding, and related disciplines, as well as cooperation with public and private organizations to foster these activities.
The IFBB is not an officially recognized sports federation
The Association has reported that the entity known as the “International Federation of Fitness and Bodybuilding” (IFBB), previously called the “International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness,” is not an officially recognized sports federation. According to the statement, the IFBB is an association registered in Spain’s National Registry of Associations under number 589776 since November 28, 2007.
Additionally, it is noted that the IFBB does not have the support of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Spanish Sports Council (CSD), or any competent sports authority. The Association has also requested the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to cancel the IFBB’s trademark registration due to potential confusion caused by the use of the term “Federation” in its logo.
Changes in the IFBB’s name and focus
The statement expresses concern over the IFBB’s shift in focus, which has relegated bodybuilding to a secondary role in favor of competitions more aligned with beauty or fashion contests. According to the Association, this distorts the sporting nature historically promoted by bodybuilding.
It is also noted that bodybuilding was officially recognized as a sport between 1950 and 1968, when it was part of the International Federation of Weightlifting and Bodybuilding (FIHC), which was recognized by the IOC. This was the only period during which bodybuilding held official status as a sport.
IFBB and the World Anti-Doping Code
Another significant point in the statement is that the IFBB has been declared non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). This further reinforces the lack of official recognition of the entity in the sports field.
Spanish Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness
The Association has also clarified that the so-called “Spanish Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness” is not an officially recognized sports federation by the CSD. This entity is registered in Spain’s National Registry of Associations under number 50701 since April 12, 2005, which gives it no official sports legitimacy.
With this statement, the Spanish Association of Weightlifting, Bodybuilding, and Related Disciplines aims to clarify the status of these entities and ensure that the sports community is properly informed about their legitimacy and official recognition.
