Sergio Oliva

Sergio Oliva (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈseɾxjo oˈliβa]; July 4, 1941 – November 12, 2012), often known by his epithet 'The Myth' for his physique and performance, was a Cuban American bodybuilder and three-time Mr. Olympia winner.

Sergio Oliva was born on July 4, 1941, in Guantanamo, Cuba, during the presidency of Fulgencio Batista. As a teenager, Sergio was able to perform clean & jerks above 400 pounds. He was selected to represent Cuba at the 1962 Central America and Caribbean Games. While representing Cuba in Jamaica, he successfully claimed political asylum in the United States. Soon after, 65 other Cuban nationals, which included Castro's entire weightlifting team and their security guards, followed Oliva by seeking asylum in the US. In the United States Oliva lived in Miami, Florida, where he worked as a TV repairman.

Oliva won the Mr. Olympia title three years from 1967 to 1969 in a row. He competed at a contest weight of 225–245 lbs. His second title in 1968 was uncontested. In 1969, he won his third consecutive Mr. Olympia by beating four-time Mr. Universe winner Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Oliva was banned from competing in the 1971 IFBB Mr. Olympia competition due to the fact that he competed in the 1971 NABBA Mr. Universe, allowing Schwarzenegger to claim the title. In 1972, Oliva challenged Schwarzenegger again for the year's Olympia in Essen, West Germany. However, he again placed second behind Schwarzenegger.

In 1985, Oliva returned for a final attempt at the Mr. Olympia title. He finished this year in 8th place - repeating his position from the previous year.

Sergio Oliva died on November 12, 2012, in Chicago, Illinois, from apparent kidney failure.