The 60th anniversary of the Olympia (Oct. 10-13) was the biggest in the sport’s history, with the Classic Physique division shining as a testament to the contest’s evolution and enduring appeal.
The 2024 Classic Physique Olympia roster comprised 58 of the best bodybuilders in the world. The division’s most decorated bodybuilder, Chris Bumstead, separated himself from the field as soon as he stepped on stage during the prejudging round.
Chris Bumstead brought his trademark muscle mass, separation, conditioning, definition, symmetry, and balance, which were unmatched. Although German bodybuilders Mike Sommerfeld and Urs Kalecinski brought their A-game to the Finals, it wasn’t enough to unseat Bumstead.
After securing an unprecedented sixth Classic Physique Olympia victory, Bumstead shocked fans and fellow competitors by announcing his retirement from the sport, leaving a legacy that will be difficult to surpass.
2024 Classic Physique Olympia Victory & Retirement Speech Highlights
Bumstead delivered a heartfelt winning-cum-retirement speech, his words echoing the humility and gratitude that have defined his journey to the top.
“Each year has its own experience, but they have all been sweet in their own way. This [win] is the best one yet. Six years ago in 2019, before everyone in the Olympia said I was going to set the standard for what the Classic Physique division was going to become, I had no idea what I was saying at that time.
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I was an ignorant kid just chasing after a dream, and here we are six years later, six of these around my neck, and I hope I have done that. I hope I have done that in a different way than I meant in the moment where I wasn’t so much about my physique and what I’ve done, but how I did it, and who I was, and who I became came along the way.”
Bumstead retirement announcement:
“It’s a really bittersweet feeling that this is gonna be my last time up on the stage. The past eight years have been the most amazing journey of my life, and I wouldn’t change a thing. I really hope I’ve set the standard to the point where people are inspired to take up their own things.
I’ve tried to share what is truly important to me on the journey. I talked about feeling the highs, feeling the lows, feeling it all. If you numb the bad, you numb the good.
The hard shit’s now about showing up in the gym, working out hard; it’s the stuff that’s actually hard for you. It’s the stuff you don’t want to do, whether it’s going up to your wife and telling her you’re having a hard day and you need a hug and just being vulnerable enough to cry in front of her, telling your friend, you love them or walking away from something that you love because you have faith there is something greater for you beyond the horizon.”
Handing over the baton:
“I have put myself out there, and I’ve sacrificed a lot over the past few years, and a lot of that’s been mental peace. You know, I put a lot of pressure and expectation on myself, and it’s been rewarded and I’m so grateful, but I’m ready to step down from this and let someone take this spot.
I’ve learned the most beautiful thing: that when you get handed everything you ever wanted, but sometimes it’s a simple thing right in front of you like your family, the people who love you, the small moments that mean so much more.”
Bumstead’s final takeaway:
“It’s been the most beautiful journey, beyond anything I could have ever asked for. Please, I hope you guys learn something from my journey. It wasn’t just about winning; it was the champion mentality, which means having no quit, feeling it all, and just enjoying the moment.”
Background & History
Born on February 2, 1995, in Canada, Bumstead played football and basketball in high school. CBum was introduced to bodybuilding by his brother-in-law, Men’s Open pro bodybuilder Iain Valliere.
Valliere mentored Bumstead through his early competitions, including his first show in 2014 at the age of 19, and coached him to three Classic Physique Olympia titles. Later, Bumstead joined forces with renowned coach Hany Rambod, whose expertise propelled him to an unprecedented six Olympia victories.
Going Forward
The Classic Physique division has witnessed the emergence of a new generation of new, high-caliber athletes like Ramon Rocha Queiroz, Urs Kalecinski, and Mike Sommerfeld, who have been pushing the boundaries of the sport.
While Queiroz and Kalecinski have been on Bumstead’s tail since 2021, Sommerfeld entered the upper echelon with a strong second-place finish at the 2024 Olympia.
Although the 2024 Arnold Classic (AC) US & UK champ Wesley Vissers failed to make a splash at the 2024 Olympia, bodybuilding experts aren’t ruling out a comeback just yet.
After opting out of the 2024 Olympia to refine his physique, former Arnold Classic champion Terrence Ruffin is poised for a powerful comeback in the 2025 season.
With Bumstead gone, the Classic Physique division enters a thrilling new chapter. The throne is vacant, and a host of hungry contenders are ready to seize their chance at glory. The race to become the next champion is wide open, promising an era of intense competition and exciting new rivalries.
Classic Physique Olympia Past Winners
| 2024 | Chris Bumstead | Las Vegas, NV |
| 2023 | Chris Bumstead | Orlando, FL |
| 2022 | Chris Bumstead | Las Vegas, NV |
| 2021 | Chris Bumstead | Orlando, FL |
| 2020 | Chris Bumstead | Orlando, FL |
| 2019 | Chris Bumstead | Las Vegas, NV |
| 2018 | Breon Ansley | Las Vegas, NV |
| 2017 | Breon Ansley | Las Vegas, NV |
| 2016 | Danny Hester | Las Vegas, NV |
Read also: Complete List of Classic Physique Olympia Champions Since 2016
2024 Mr. Olympia Recap:
Olympia Saturday Night Results
Olympia Friday Night Results
- Men’s 212 Olympia Results
- Figure Olympia Results
- Women’s Physique Olympia Results
- Fitness Olympia Results
- Ms. Olympia Results
- Wellness Results
- Mr. Olympia Prejudging (following Friday Night Finals)*
Saturday Prejudging
- Classic Physique Prejudging Report
- Men’s Physique Prejudging Report
- Bikini Prejudging Report
- Pro Wheelchair (Prejudging & Finals)
Friday Prejudging
- 212 Olympia Prejudging Report
- Fitness Prejudging Report
- Figure Prejudging Report
- Women’s Physique Prejudging Report
- Ms. Olympia Prejudging Report
- Wellness Prejudging Report
2024 Olympia Withdrawals
- Nick Walker Out of 2024 Mr. Olympia
- Nathan De Asha Out of 2024 Mr. Olympia
- Big Ramy Out of 2024 Mr. Olympia
- Tonio Burton Out of 2024 Mr. Olympia
- Oleh Kryvyi Out of 2024 212 Mr. Olympia
- Terrence Ruffin Out of 2024 Classic Physique Olympia
- Brandon Hendrickson Out of 2024 Men's Physique Olympia
- Diogo Montenegro Out of 2024 Men's Physique Olympia
- Jennifer Dorie Out of 2024 Bikini Olympia
- Maureen Blanquisco Out of 2024 Bikini Olympia
Fitness Volt congratulates Chris Bumstead for winning the 2024 Classic Physique Olympia title and inspiring countless individuals to pursue their fitness goals!
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