Tweet
Gene Rychlak:
First and Foremost, I, Gene Rychlak, Jr., have the unfortunate task in announcing that I will NOT be attending the WPO Ukraine Power Stars of the Bench contest at the end of this month. I had every intention of attending and competing. But I cannot due to the fact that my invitation was rescinded by the MEET SPONSOR not the MEET PROMOTER. In fact, i've been informed that he doesn't want to see me at all at the venue!!!
I will now outline the FACTS not the LIES & Half truths perpetuated on the internet.
1. I was never told at any time that the trip was ALL EXPENSES PAID, All I was ever told was that My airfare & transit from the airport to the hotel was covered. I cannot speak for Rob Luyando, but I'm pretty sure the other 2 were given that luxury.
2. When first approached by the Ukraines regarding this event, I emphatically rejected the offer as everyone knows my feeling towards the WPO & KK. After several attempts at changing my mind, the Ukraines enlisted Rob Luyando to persuade me to reconsider. He told them my reasoning and they told him that this was separate from anything associated with the WPO in America. I respect Rob as a lifter and as a friend. After several discussions with Rob I relented and tentatively agreed to accept the invitation provided we could work out the details. Even though I was notified upfront the the sponsor was a huge Mendelson fan.
3. As everyone knows full well, I utilize a 3 man handoff. The original offer was for just me and i rejected that offer. They countered by offering to pay airfare for 1 handler. I countered by informing them I needed 3 handlers. They came back with an offer to cover 2 handlers, and before I could comment they said they would cover all
3.
4. About a month ago I received an email from the Ukraines that the sponsor now had changed his mind and was not going to cover the airfare of ANY of my handlers. Shortly there after I received word through trusted channels that Mendelson has an additional four handlers included with the original three handlers he requested, for a total 7 handlers going with all expenses paid.
5. This prompted the Fund Raising, without a major sponsor to cover these expenses, I had very few resources to pull from. The Luau, for those who had an issue, was the brainstorm of a fellow Southside Barbell Teammate, who donated the majority of the food and the entertainment as he wanted to contribute something, be it money or a fundraising party. All additional publicity was done by Brian Weston the Southside Barbell Team Captain, the rest of the team pitched in to help the cause, because they wanted to see me go to the Ukraine and kick some ass. The response and support for this event was personally overwhelming. I received support in my community along with support from the powerlifting community.
6. So what now with the money? It has been turned back over to the Southside Team to determine its use. There is no way that I could accept the money raised for this trip with me being prevented from attending. If the opportunity to compete existed, even if I paid my own way along with my handlers, I still would have tried my best to go. The SPONSOR does not want me there (is he protecting someone??, but I can only speculate).
7. There was speculation that I never had any intention of going to the Ukraine. If that were true, would I spend money to have over a hundred t-shirts printed up saying Ukraine 2007 with my website's logo on them?? Would I have jumped through all the hoops needed lately to expedite a passport that I would need for the trip??? Would I ask teammates to schedule their vacation time for the trip to assist me??? Would I jump right back into a training cycle 2 days after competing at the IPA World's?? I guess you know more than I do!! It would have been nice to meet my cousins that are in the Ukraine, as I am 1/4 Ukrainian. My family is very disappointed in these recent events.
8. I agree with the comment made that KK has no business paying anyone's expenses. HE MUST CLEAN HIS OWN HOUSE BEFORE HE THROWS ANY STONES. Anyone who competes under that banner knowing that KK & The WPO owes THOUSANDS of $$$$$$ to our fellow lifters who rightfully won prize money only to be stiffed should be ashamed of themselves. By competing, you ARE ENABLING HIM to continue ignoring the problem he created and refuses to address. HOW LONG ARE WE GOING TO LET HIM GET AWAY WITH IT??? Louie Simmons said ENOUGH!!! I've said ENOUGH, Jim Lorimer said the same.
The true losers in this are the fans!!!!!!
First and Foremost, I, Gene Rychlak, Jr., have the unfortunate task in announcing that I will NOT be attending the WPO Ukraine Power Stars of the Bench contest at the end of this month. I had every intention of attending and competing. But I cannot due to the fact that my invitation was rescinded by the MEET SPONSOR not the MEET PROMOTER. In fact, i've been informed that he doesn't want to see me at all at the venue!!!
I will now outline the FACTS not the LIES & Half truths perpetuated on the internet.
1. I was never told at any time that the trip was ALL EXPENSES PAID, All I was ever told was that My airfare & transit from the airport to the hotel was covered. I cannot speak for Rob Luyando, but I'm pretty sure the other 2 were given that luxury.
2. When first approached by the Ukraines regarding this event, I emphatically rejected the offer as everyone knows my feeling towards the WPO & KK. After several attempts at changing my mind, the Ukraines enlisted Rob Luyando to persuade me to reconsider. He told them my reasoning and they told him that this was separate from anything associated with the WPO in America. I respect Rob as a lifter and as a friend. After several discussions with Rob I relented and tentatively agreed to accept the invitation provided we could work out the details. Even though I was notified upfront the the sponsor was a huge Mendelson fan.
3. As everyone knows full well, I utilize a 3 man handoff. The original offer was for just me and i rejected that offer. They countered by offering to pay airfare for 1 handler. I countered by informing them I needed 3 handlers. They came back with an offer to cover 2 handlers, and before I could comment they said they would cover all
3.
4. About a month ago I received an email from the Ukraines that the sponsor now had changed his mind and was not going to cover the airfare of ANY of my handlers. Shortly there after I received word through trusted channels that Mendelson has an additional four handlers included with the original three handlers he requested, for a total 7 handlers going with all expenses paid.
5. This prompted the Fund Raising, without a major sponsor to cover these expenses, I had very few resources to pull from. The Luau, for those who had an issue, was the brainstorm of a fellow Southside Barbell Teammate, who donated the majority of the food and the entertainment as he wanted to contribute something, be it money or a fundraising party. All additional publicity was done by Brian Weston the Southside Barbell Team Captain, the rest of the team pitched in to help the cause, because they wanted to see me go to the Ukraine and kick some ass. The response and support for this event was personally overwhelming. I received support in my community along with support from the powerlifting community.
6. So what now with the money? It has been turned back over to the Southside Team to determine its use. There is no way that I could accept the money raised for this trip with me being prevented from attending. If the opportunity to compete existed, even if I paid my own way along with my handlers, I still would have tried my best to go. The SPONSOR does not want me there (is he protecting someone??, but I can only speculate).
7. There was speculation that I never had any intention of going to the Ukraine. If that were true, would I spend money to have over a hundred t-shirts printed up saying Ukraine 2007 with my website's logo on them?? Would I have jumped through all the hoops needed lately to expedite a passport that I would need for the trip??? Would I ask teammates to schedule their vacation time for the trip to assist me??? Would I jump right back into a training cycle 2 days after competing at the IPA World's?? I guess you know more than I do!! It would have been nice to meet my cousins that are in the Ukraine, as I am 1/4 Ukrainian. My family is very disappointed in these recent events.
8. I agree with the comment made that KK has no business paying anyone's expenses. HE MUST CLEAN HIS OWN HOUSE BEFORE HE THROWS ANY STONES. Anyone who competes under that banner knowing that KK & The WPO owes THOUSANDS of $$$$$$ to our fellow lifters who rightfully won prize money only to be stiffed should be ashamed of themselves. By competing, you ARE ENABLING HIM to continue ignoring the problem he created and refuses to address. HOW LONG ARE WE GOING TO LET HIM GET AWAY WITH IT??? Louie Simmons said ENOUGH!!! I've said ENOUGH, Jim Lorimer said the same.
The true losers in this are the fans!!!!!!
Comment