Penza, 20 April 2017. PenzaNews. Penza was not chosen as a host of the Bodybuilding World Championship due to the lack of an international airport. This was reported by the famous Penza bodybuilder, “Mister Universe 2009” Aleksey Netesanov.

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"In Penza, bodybuilding is more popular than in any other city of Russia. Penza belongs to the top-3 cities with the best gyms and the largest number of people involved into the sport. The rating goes as follows: Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Penza, Kazan, Yekaterinburg, but unfortunately the regulations on world championships include such point such as international airport. We do not have it in Penza yet, that is why competitions are held in Samara," he said at the press conference dedicated to the open Russian Fitness and Bodybuilding Cup, which will be held in Penza on Saturday, April 29.

Alexey Netesanov noted that the procedure of voting on the choice of the place where international competitions will be held was very complicated – such countries as Brazil, Italy, and Russia were considered as possible options.

"Many countries, including the USA, were against of conducting the World Championship in Russia. [...] Excuse me for my immodesty but my authority as “Mister Universe 2009” was very high at the conference, that is why without having left competitors far behind, Russia received 200 votes. I repeat it again. It will happen for the first and for the last time. Well, in my lifetime," the famous bodybuilder said.