# Mr. Olympia Accused of Sexual Assault **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [July 23, 2019, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-olympia-accused-of-sexual-assault/837511 "2019-07-23T20:53:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-olympia-accused-of-sexual-assault/837511/1 "2019-07-23T20:53:45Z")
Didn’t see any mention of this, but Shawn Rhoden, the current Mr. Olympia, has been [charged on several counts](https://fitnessvolt.com/shawn-rhoden-rape-case/) in connection with an incident back in 2018. What I have been able to glean - [ul][li]The delay in charging is due to the backlog in DNA testing.[/ul][/li][ul][li]His DNA was apparently matched to that found on the accuser.[/ul][/li][ul][li]The accuser reported the incident shortly after it allegedly occurred. [/ul][/li][ul][li]Rhoden says the sex was consensual. [/ul][/li][ul][li]The accuser says otherwise, and has allegedly suffered a vaginal laceration, which would tend to argue against consensual sex. [/ul][ul][\*]Rhoden’s bail was originally set at $750K but has been reduced to $250K. No idea if that has anything to do with anyone’s judgment of guilt or innocence. [/ul][/li] Rhoden has been banned from the 2019 Mr. Olympia, and I am not sure of the reason for that. No doubt the publicity would be bad, but he has not been convicted yet. Anyone else seen this? No trial, and no clear information has been established, but assuming all the above is true, this is a bit more than he said/she said IMO. I know - innocent until proven guilty and all that, but IMO it does not look good for Rhoden. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-olympia-accused-of-sexual-assault/837511/2 "2019-07-23T21:09:10Z")
> [@](#): > > Rhoden has been banned from the 2019 Mr. Olympia, and I am not sure of the reason for that. No doubt the publicity would be bad, but he has not been convicted yet. The reason is that the publicity would be bad, and the fact that he has not been convicted yet is irrelevant. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-olympia-accused-of-sexual-assault/837511/3 "2019-07-23T23:30:17Z")
I’ve never heard of ‘Mr. Olympia’ but I knew before even opening the thread that it was going to be a black guy. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-olympia-accused-of-sexual-assault/837511/4 "2019-07-23T23:40:18Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > I’ve never heard of ‘Mr. Olympia’ but I knew before even opening the thread that it was going to be a black guy. I always think of Arnold Schwarzenegger when I hear that title. (He’s the only winner I can name off the top of my head.) ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-olympia-accused-of-sexual-assault/837511/5 "2019-07-23T23:46:01Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > I’ve never heard of ‘Mr. Olympia’ but I knew before even opening the thread that it was going to be a black guy. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2019, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-olympia-accused-of-sexual-assault/837511/6 "2019-07-23T23:49:19Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > I’ve never heard of ‘Mr. Olympia’ but I knew before even opening the thread that it was going to be a black guy. I bet you have heard of it even if the detail of the competition name didn’t stick in memory. Arnold Schwarzenneger won the title seven times. It was his lead in to his movie career as an action hero. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-olympia-accused-of-sexual-assault/837511/7 "2019-07-24T00:36:01Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > :dubious: Yes, explain this post. I have a good explanation in my head, and a bad one, though even the good one wouldn’t have been advisable. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-olympia-accused-of-sexual-assault/837511/8 "2019-07-24T03:03:33Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > I’ve never heard of ‘Mr. Olympia’ but I knew before even opening the thread that it was going to be a black guy. I immediately thought of Arnold Schwarzenegger. You knew this one was going to be a black guy because…? ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-olympia-accused-of-sexual-assault/837511/9 "2019-07-24T06:26:56Z")
I immediately thought of Tommy Wright who was a pro wrestler and very white and wrestled as Mr Olympia in Mid South wrestling ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-olympia-accused-of-sexual-assault/837511/10 "2019-07-24T07:18:49Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > I’ve never heard of ‘Mr. Olympia’ but I knew before even opening the thread that it was going to be a black guy. Really? I thought it was going to be Arnold Schwarzenegger, as he’s the only Mr. Olympia I’ve ever heard of (until this). Actually I still don’t know it because all these bodybuilders seem to dye their skin mega-tan… ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-olympia-accused-of-sexual-assault/837511/11 "2019-07-24T07:47:53Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > The accuser says otherwise, and has allegedly suffered a vaginal laceration, which would tend to argue against consensual sex. No opinions on the merits of the allegations, but _have you seen the guy_? He could be gentle as hell, she could have have a dozen notorised affidavitrs indicating consent and you’d probably still find lacerations. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-olympia-accused-of-sexual-assault/837511/12 "2019-07-24T12:58:29Z")
**[Moderating]** > [@BlankSlate](#): > > I’ve never heard of ‘Mr. Olympia’ but I knew before even opening the thread that it was going to be a black guy. Yes, explain this. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-olympia-accused-of-sexual-assault/837511/13 "2019-07-24T16:49:53Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > No opinions on the merits of the allegations, but _have you seen the guy_? He could be gentle as hell, she could have have a dozen notorised affidavitrs indicating consent and you’d probably still find lacerations. What? Big guys can’t have consensual sex without causing harm? (Which is about the most charitable way I can construe what you said.) ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-olympia-accused-of-sexual-assault/837511/14 "2019-07-24T18:44:59Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > What? Big guys can’t have consensual sex without causing harm? (Which is about the most charitable way I can construe what you said.) No, bruises and lacerations are seen after consensual sex at times and at other times confirmed rape cases yield no bruises or injuries. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-olympia-accused-of-sexual-assault/837511/15 "2019-07-24T19:02:11Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > No trial, and no clear information has been established, but assuming all the above is true, this is a bit more than he said/she said IMO. It is he said/she said. DNA doesn’t matter at all in a case where the question is of consent and not identity. Evidence of vaginal injury does help the prosecution case but it is not an absolute. According to the affidavit of probable cause the victim is a female professional bodybuilder and considered the suspect to be her mentor. She was with a photographer but left him behind and went to the suspects room where she alleges the assault occurred. To me there seems to be plenty of probable cause for a charge. As with any of these types of cases it’s hard to tell if there is enough to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-olympia-accused-of-sexual-assault/837511/16 "2019-07-24T21:45:01Z")
**[Moderating]** OK, after a few rounds of back-and-forth with **Blank Slate** , I’m forced to the conclusion that his post #3 was meant as a dig against **Shodan**. This not being the Pit, that is prohibited, and so this is an official Warning for **Blank Slate**. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2019, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-olympia-accused-of-sexual-assault/837511/17 "2019-07-24T22:22:11Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > > [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > > > > [@AK84](#): > > > > > > No opinions on the merits of the allegations, but _have you seen the guy_? He could be gentle as hell, she could have have a dozen notorised affidavitrs indicating consent and you’d probably still find lacerations. > > > > What? Big guys can’t have consensual sex without causing harm? (Which is about the most charitable way I can construe what you said.) > > No, bruises and lacerations are seen after consensual sex at times and at other times confirmed rape cases yield no bruises or injuries. Of course you can get bruises and lacerations during consensual sex, but that’s not what you said. You said that: > [@](#): > > He could be gentle as hell, she could have have a dozen notorised affidavitrs indicating consent and you’d probably still find lacerations. This indicates that you think he would always injure his partner. What led you to make that statement? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-olympia-accused-of-sexual-assault/837511/18 "2019-07-25T13:23:10Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > It is he said/she said. DNA doesn’t matter at all in a case where the question is of consent and not identity. Evidence of vaginal injury does help the prosecution case but it is not an absolute. What I meant was that the DNA rules out the defense “it wasn’t me” or “I never had sex with that woman”. Of course the vaginal injury isn’t an absolute - he’s only been charged, not convicted. > [@](#): > > According to the affidavit of probable cause the victim is a female professional bodybuilder and considered the suspect to be her mentor. She was with a photographer but left him behind and went to the suspects room where she alleges the assault occurred. To me there seems to be plenty of probable cause for a charge. As with any of these types of cases it’s hard to tell if there is enough to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. All undoubtedly true. But why she would bring somebody else along if she intended to hook up is another circumstance tending to back her up. She left the photographer in the lobby - apparently she didn’t intend it to last very long, or didn’t intend sex at all. And, not to get too graphic, but if she intended to have sex, I would expect her to be more lubricated and therefore less likely to suffer vaginal tearing. The DNA was allegedly Rhodan’s saliva on her breast - if it was foreplay, it didn’t last very long and did nothing to get her in the mood. I guess we will see. FTR, if the thread becomes too contentious, as it seems to be tending to do, feel free to lock it, or just let it die away. If that makes any difference. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-olympia-accused-of-sexual-assault/837511/19 "2019-07-25T13:44:55Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > I immediately thought of Arnold Schwarzenegger. I misread “Mr.” as “Mt.” and immediately figured Zeus was up to no good. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2019, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-olympia-accused-of-sexual-assault/837511/20 "2019-07-25T15:27:00Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > What I meant was that the DNA rules out the defense “it wasn’t me” or “I never had sex with that woman”. Of course the vaginal injury isn’t an absolute - he’s only been charged, not convicted. > All undoubtedly true. > > But why she would bring somebody else along if she intended to hook up is another circumstance tending to back her up. She left the photographer in the lobby - apparently she didn’t intend it to last very long, or didn’t intend sex at all. I was speaking nothing to whether the allegations are true. From the perspective of someone who had worked in SVU for multiple years I am merely saying it can be difficult to get a conviction. You don’t want to go to trial with 100% riding on the victim’s testimony. Given the information available it looks to me like it’s about 90% riding on her testimony. It’s very possible to have a jury believe the victim but not be able to get past reasonable doubt. That is the biggest problem with prosecuting acquaintance rape cases. Often there is not enough evidence to even charge. Absent lowering the burden of proof in sexual assault cases I don’t know what the solution is. All I’ve seen so far is the affidavit of probable cause. There may be other evidence that comes out in discovery. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-olympia-accused-of-sexual-assault/837511.md?page=2)