After Olympia’s parent company American Media Inc. (AMI) revoked Shawn Rhoden’s eligibility because of the rape charges; bodybuilding legend Lee Priest had something to say in favor of the 2018 Mr. Olympia champion.
“So much for innocent till proven guilty. This is like saying we believe her over you. Rather then stand by you till proven either way. It’s bullshit,” wrote Lee Priest on Instagram defending the champion.
Updates: IFBB Pro Issues Statement Regarding Shawn Rhoden’s Case
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Updates: Shawn Rhoden Enters Plea Of Not Guilty
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Shawn Rhoden was accused of sexual assault in October last year when a female bodybuilder visiting his hotel room in Utah explained Rhoden raped her. Well, he was charged Thursday after police found DNA on the woman and a warrant was issued.
and will not be defending his title which is unfortunate because he was a great champion.
Here’s the post by Lee Priest…
“The woman told police that Rhoden started kissing and touching her, despite her trying to push him away and asking him to stop repeatedly. He did not stop, but progressively continued touching her sexually, then raped her, according to a probable cause statement.
Police say the Rhoden finally stopped and allowed her to leave after she told him her photographer was waiting in the lobby and would know that “something [was] up.”
She then contacted her husband and police, court documents state. Maybe husband found out and it went from sex to rape.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz1e0DEn7Qh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Priest made another post which read…
“They make millions of guys abusing illegal drugs have for years. But now they take the high moral ground and stop him competing when he’s innocent to proven guilty.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz1uiZPHXvx/?fbclid=IwAR33J1m6KA0yUcMopzwhviYXug2ohWaHjwhSRdUg99Os6axVZOVnon6-ivQ
Here’s a post from Shawn Rhoden’s coach Chris Aceto bashing AMI’s CEO David Pecker for the decision to revoke the Rhoden’s eligibility to compete.
The post showed a photo of when Pecker threatened to blackmail Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Aceto pointed out that the former was no stranger to doing “shady things,” implying Rhoden was not given a fair chance before he was revoked.
“This is the guy who unilaterally decides who can’t compete at the Olympia. Who controls bodybuilding now ? I always thought it was the people who built it and earned the respect of the athletes.
I thought Jim Manion was numero uno. It appears that the the guy who was granted immunity recently and who by all accounts knows nothing about bodybuilding – has jumped the gun and decided a Mr Olympia – accused of a crime- must be guilty of a crime without due process, without a trial, without picking up a phone and asking the competitor “what the hell is going on?”
There is something fundamentally wrong with the entire IFBB if someone is allowed to be kicked out of the sport after being accused of something. (Even criminal) without asking the accused “ is this true?”
If this is allowed to happen – that Shawn Rhoden is banned from the Olympia – then bb just is nothing more then gutless crappy business, no real passion from anyone, no integrity left, no balls anywhere to say this is unfair.
The irony of course is this is the type of story the Enquirer would salivate over!”
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz171HWlQEo/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Shawn Rhoden has a lot of support during this very difficult situation which is very understandable. He is the top bodybuilder in the World currently and is an inspiration to thousands of people worldwide. But, his legacy will surely end at this point in time unless he was wrongly accused.
We will continue to update you as new details emerge on the situation.
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