While training for his acting role in the 1982 film Conan the Barbarian, Arnold Schwarzenegger stunned the bodybuilding world by unexpectedly coming out of retirement and entering the Mr. Olympia contest one day prior to the event and after having trained for only eight weeks prior.
"[1] Frank Zane, the defending three-time Mr. Olympia champion, entered the contest after recovering from a life-threatening injury.
The decision was criticized by competitors and attendees, because Arnold lacked his usual size and muscular definition.
[1] In the aftermath of the competition, many of the competitors, including Frank Zane, Coe, Mentzer, and Walker, vowed to boycott the 1981 contest.
It was after the event intended host Ken Squier witnessed Racecam at the Hardie-Ferodo 1000, leading to it being used for the 1981 Daytona 500.