congratulates Ben Weider on receiving the Order of St. John

During a formal ceremony held on November 15, 2001, the President of The Order of St. John, the Honourable Robert Langdon, recognized IFBB President Ben Weider for the charitable work that he has performed over a span of more than 50 years, in raising awareness about the importance of living a healthy and fit lifestyle. It is Ben Weider's unselfish philanthropic contributions towards the youth of the world, regardless of race, religion or politics, that has led to his receipt of The Order of St. John this year.

The Order of St. John is presented to an exclusive group of people at a traditional ceremony each year in Ottawa, the capital of Canada. The beginnings of The Order of St John date back to the First Crusade to the Holy Land in 1095. When they captured Jerusalem, the Crusaders founded a hospice, the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem, run by a group of monks led by Blessed Gerard. Foundations of the Order operate in 40 countries with the International Headquarters located at St John's Gate, Clerkenwell, London.

The historic presentation ceremony takes place in the Basilica of The Order of St. John, and is one of the few distinctions that the government of Canada recognizes.

Ben Weider, an Honourary Lieutenant Colonel in the 62nd Artillery Regiment of the Canadian Armed Forces, located in Shawinigan, Quebec, Canada, proudly wore his full military uniform, and the various decorations that he has been awarded, to the award ceremony. Also attending this prestigious ceremony was his son, Eric Weider, Mr. Jacques Duchesneau, former Chief of Police of the City of Montreal and the Honourary Commander of the Canadian Armed Forces Military Police, numerous members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and representatives from various Canadian law enforcement agencies.

Lt. Col. (Hon) Ben Weider, C.M., C.Q., SBStJ, Ph.D.,

and Col. (Hon) Jacques Duchesneau

After the touching ceremony, all 400 guests were invited to Government House where a reception was hosted by the Governor General of Canada, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, who serves as the official representative of the Queen of England in Canada.

Ben Weider has received many prominent awards to include the Order of Canada, the highest award bestowed upon a Canadian citizen, a 1984 Nobel Peace Prize nomination, and most recently, he was recognized as Knight of the National Order of Quebec, the highest honour achievable for residents of Quebec. Ben Weider is the only Canadian citizen to ever receive the Order of Canada, the Order of St. John, the Knight of the National Order of Quebec, and the Legion of Honour, which is the highest award presented by the government of France.