In the expo the prejudging was held on two stages in each separate expo hall room, but fans had to pick which event they wanted to see. Although the day was for the most part wide open, for whatever reason, the event planners chose to have them conflict with each other. Hence there were many disappointed people who were unable to catch all of the prejudging for both events.

Also, for this year's Ms. Olympia competition, there would only be one title holder. That decision was much more palatable as well as the change to post the scoresheets with all the judges listed so competitors and fans alike could see which judges placed who where. That came about from the competitors meeting and press conference when Shawn Ray asked that the information be provided. Deshay Ebert got into it with Ray, and to many in the crowd, embarrassed herself by her comments and attitude.

However one of the more memorable quotes was probably from reigning Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman who stated something to the effect that there are apples and oranges on stage, and when an apple is awarded the title, all the fans of oranges will boo, and hence all the booing at many shows when placings are announced. And it was as if Coleman was predicting the future because when Jay Cutler was announced in second place, a chorus of boos resounded through the auditorium, perhaps from fans of those same fans of oranges...

Note: Since both prejudging events were held simultaneously, the coverage for the prejudging was focused on the Ms. Olympia bodybuilding.

The lightweight class (up to 135 lbs.) consisted of ten women and was marked by the return to competition of Juliette Bergmann, who has not competed in quite some time, but was given some sort of special invite to compete (although she did not have to qualify for the show). Bergmann has most recently been judging shows, so having her compete was slightly questionable, having been on the other side of the stage for quite some time.

Regardless of that, Bergmann came in looking good. Her signature symmetry carried her to the title edging out incumbent Andrulla Blanchette. While many in the audience may have thought that Bergmann may not have deserved to win, the fact that she sat on that same judging panel made it seem even more of a conflict of interest. Taking the overall and the Ms. Olympia title seemed to be the proof that something wasn't quite right, as Iris Kyle, winner of the heavyweight class, seemed to be the favorite of everyone else but the judges, and was visibly upset when the title was announced.

The rest of the lightweight class was quite impressive. Joanna Thomas, who won the Jan Tana lightweight class, came in a tad off from her shape in Lynchburg, but continues to look good, and should improve her placement in future competitions. Thomas should be a threat to take the title, with her aesthetic lines, impressive back and notable arms.

Renee Casella came in very tight and was in great shape, but without the same aesthetics as some of the others, was placed in sixth place just behind Gayle Moher who was in incredibly tight shape. That was one of the better conditions that Moher had come in at. Brenda Raganot took the 4th place spot, and looked good and symmetrical as usual.

Relatively new pro Kim Harris looked small on stage next to the others, and South Americans Fannie Barrois and Angela DeBatin placed 8th and 9th respectively, followed by England's Joanna Thomas, who was making her first Olympia appearance. Although very impressive at the Jan Tana, Thomas seemed to be off from her form there, and it was reflected in her placement. Overall though, the quality of the competition in the class was deep and impressive, and all the way through, all the competitors looked like and did deserve to be on stage.

In the heavyweight class Iris Kyle earned top honors beating out Vickie Gates. The victory was more than deserved though, as Kyle has been looking impressive in many of her recent shows and probably should have won the Arnold title over Gates as well. The only injustice was how the judges awarded the overall and Ms. Olympia title to Bergmann, while it seemed to many that Kyle was clearly the superior bodybuilder. It was overheard that even several of the lightweight competitors were irked that Bergmann took the title as well.

Following Gates in 3rd was Yaxeni Oriquen who looked superb and probably could have taken second place herself. A workhorse of a competitor, Oriquen finally cracked the top three at the Olympia and seemed to be happy with her impressive conditioning.

Defending Ms. Olympia Valentina Chepiga looked small on stage in the heavyweight class, but was as elegant as ever. Her condition from last year was not present and she was upset with how she placed, but it was evident that she was not deserving of retaining the title.

Following Chepiga was Lesa Lewis and Betty Pariso, while Heather Foster finished in 7th due to the fact that she could not finish competing beyond the prejudging.

On the fitness side of things it was a second consecutive title for Susan Curry. Because the prejudging was held simultaneously with the bodybuilding, there are not too many comments that can be made in this report. However, from the response of many others in the audience and in the competition itself, it seemed that some of the placements were not fair.

Jennifer Hendershott again had a sold routine and had brought up her physique, but was unable to crack the top six, although it seemed like she had a legitimate chance at taking the title itself. Gracious as always, Hendershott was the first to embrace and congratulate Curry.