IFBB Pro League Men’s Open bodybuilder and 2024 New York Pro champion Nick Walker is out of the 2024 Mr. Olympia contest, slated for Oct. 11-12, 2024, in Las Vegas, NV. This is the second consecutive year that Walker will miss bodybuilding’s biggest contest.

Walker and coach Matt Jansen released a video on Walker’s YouTube channel on Oct. 5 sharing the news and explaining their reasoning for withdrawing from the contest:

“We just had to face the music; this is not the year,” Jansen said, explaining that Walker’s body was not responding to his prep as they felt it needed to win the 60th edition of the Mr. Olympia. Jansen stated this decision was not about avoiding losing on stage.

We’re not afraid to fail. I feel is in the best interest of Nick not to step on stage. His body is not operating like it needs to.

Walker showed emotion when he acknowledged it was not an easy decision to make, but, ultimately, the best one for him.

My body just said, ‘I need a break. I need to relax.’ That was it. I refuse to step onstage with anything less than my best.

Walker withdrew from the 2023 Mr. Olympia due to a hamstring injury he suffered in his prep’s final weeks. He recovered and returned to the stage to win the 2024 New York Pro. That qualified him to compete in Las Vegas.

Walker was expected to be a top contender for the Mr. Olympia title. In his four-year pro career, Walker has two Olympia appearances, ranking fifth in 2021 and third in 2022.

Walker said he would attend the 2024 Olympia, even though he was not competing. Jansen clarified that they would not announce Walker’s next contest until they felt he was ready. Walker will have to win a pro show during the 2025 qualifying season to enter the 2025 Mr. Olympia contest.

Who’s Still In?

With Walker’s absence from the 2024 event, another contender could potentially fill a top-five position. The other favorites for the Olympia are defending champion Derek Lunsford, 2022 winner Hadi Choopan, 2019 champion Brandon Curry, and top contenders Samson Dauda and Andrew Jacked. 

Pre-judging for the 60th Mr. Olympia is set for Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, and finals take place the following night, Saturday, Oct. 12. Fans not in Las Vegas can purchase the 2024 Olympia pay-per-view on the Olympia Productions website to watch the action live.

BarBend will maintain live updates on all 11 pro divisions featured in Las Vegas throughout the Olympia weekend.

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Featured Image: @nick_walker39 / Instagram 

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