Paul Dillett

Paul Dillett (born April 12, 1965 in Montreal, Quebec) is a retired IFBB professional bodybuilder. He resides in Toronto, Canada.

STAT

Name: Paul Dillett

Location: Las Vegas, New York, United States of America

Born: Montreal, Quebec

Height: 6'1"

Off Season Weight: 320 lbs

Competition Weight: 285 lbs

Biography

Paul Dillett first competed in professional bodybuilding when he took second place in the heavyweight division of the 1991 North American Championships. His first Mr. Olympia was in 1993, where he placed 6th. In 1993, he competed in his first Ironman Pro Invitational, where he took fourth place.

Later the same year, he competed in his first Arnold Classic, placing fourth. In 1999, he competed in the Night of Champions competition, where he placed first. Paul has been featured in many fitness and bodybuilding articles, including being featured on the cover of Muscular Development magazine.

At the Arnold in 1994, Dillett froze on stage, a result of cramping from dehydration. Three officials carried him off the stage, still in his pose.It was later revealed by Dillett that he reached the hospital just in time to save his life.

Contest history

1991

North American Championships - IFBB, HeavyWeight, 2nd

1992

North American Championships - IFBB, HeavyWeight, 1st
North American Championships - IFBB, Overall Winner

1993

Arnold Classic - IFBB, 4th
Ironman Pro Invitational - IFBB, 4th
Olympia - IFBB, 6th

1994

Grand Prix England - IFBB, 4th
Grand Prix France (2) - IFBB, 2nd
Grand Prix France - IFBB, Winner
Grand Prix Germany (2) - IFBB, Winner
Grand Prix Germany - IFBB, 3rd
Grand Prix Italy - IFBB, 2nd
Grand Prix Spain - IFBB, 3rd
Olympia - IFBB, 4th

1996

Arnold Classic - IFBB, 3rd
Grand Prix Czech Republic - IFBB, 3rd
Grand Prix England - IFBB, 3rd
Grand Prix Germany - IFBB, 4th
Grand Prix Russia - IFBB, 4th
Grand Prix Spain - IFBB, 2nd
Grand Prix Switzerland - IFBB, 2nd
Ironman Pro Invitational - IFBB, 2nd
Olympia - IFBB, 5th
San Jose Pro Invitational - IFBB, 2nd

1997

Arnold Classic - IFBB, 6th
Grand Prix Czech Republic - IFBB, 6th
Grand Prix England - IFBB, 4th
Grand Prix Finland - IFBB, 5th
Grand Prix Germany - IFBB, 4th
Grand Prix Hungary - IFBB, 4th
Grand Prix Russia - IFBB, 5th
Grand Prix Spain - IFBB, 4th
Ironman Pro Invitational - IFBB, 5th
Olympia - IFBB, 5th
San Jose Pro Invitational - IFBB, 5th

1998

Olympia - IFBB, Did not place

1999

Night of Champions - IFBB, Winner
Olympia - IFBB, 7th

2000

Night of Champions - IFBB, 3rd

2002

Night of Champions - IFBB, 6th
Southwest Pro Cup - IFBB, 8th

2003

Grand Prix Hungary - IFBB, 14th

2006

Montreal Pro Championships - IFBB, 10th

Paul Dillett, interviewed by Ron Avidan.

So, are you racist?

Oh my god! Hell, no! I guess it is hard to be a racist when you are bi-racial. I am half black, half white. My dad is white, and my mom is black. So it is kind of hard to be a racist. I have had two wives, both of whom were white, one was German, the other was Canadian. The girl I date is white so I don't know. The only people who say that I am a racist is actually a true racist. Just because someone has an opinion does not make them a racist. Just because someone says they feel there is some racism in the sport that he is involved in does not make them a racist.

Your dad was white, and mom was black? What are you?

That makes me a Mulatto. My dad was from France, and my mom was Jamaican, and I was born in Canada. My dad passed away.

Was it strange growing up in your family?

No, because in my family, there is no such thing as racism. My mom accepts people for who they are, not for the color of their skin or anything else. That is the way I was brought up. I treat you the way you treat me. I don't care if you are white, black, Chinese or whatever the hell you are. If you are a good person, you are a good person. If you are an asshole, you are an asshole. I judge people as individuals, based on the character and how they treat me, not by the color of their skin. There are a lot of black guys and white guys who are assholes.

Growing up, my favorite bodybuilder was Lou Ferrigno. Also, Gary Strydom. I could not wait to meet Gary Strydom. I idolized the guy. I love his delts. The reason my delts are the way there are is because I have always wanted to have delts like Gary Strydom. Also, who doesn't love Tom Platz.

Should the IFBB suspend you for your comments in your column?

Should they suspend me? For having my own opinion? You can't suspend someone for having their own opinion? It is my opinion! It doesn't mean that it is right, and it doesn't mean that it is wrong. These are my feelings, you know what I mean? You can't suspend someone for having an opinion? This is America right, freedom of speech. You should have a right to your own opinion. That is a part of life. I did not attack any one individual! If someone wants to say that it makes me a racist, then go right ahead. Call me a racist, because I am always going to speak my mind. I have always been known as one of the most outspoken bodybuilders out there along with Shawn Ray. We say how we feel. Most people feel a certain way, but they just don't say it. They are afraid to say it. Some of us like Shawn, myself and other individuals are not afraid to just come out and say 'This is how I feel'. I am entitled to that. Some people love Paul Dillett, some people don't. That's their opinion, that is their choice. They have that right to feel that way.

Why do you think the IFBB is racist?

Wait, I said that there is racism within the IFBB. You can't say the IFBB is racist because the IFBB is made up of a big group of individuals. Look, when you check out the judging panels, how many black people do you see on it? How many black athletes do you see on stage? My whole thing is that you can't not address that point. You can't deny that simple fact that there are lots of black competitors and only two black judges? My whole question that was asked of me was that 'Do you believe there is racism in the IFBB', and I replied 'Yes'. I am definitely not hear to bash the IFBB.

What would you say if the question was asked to you? You most likely will say no because you are not involved directly like the judges and the athletes are involved, on a more personal level. You tend to view things differently.

Well, how about you becoming an IFBB judge?

Me. No, I am not interested in becoming a judge right now. You know, there should not be such an uproar just because an athlete says 'I feel this way'. Maybe the IFBB should contact the athlete, and say 'If something happens that made you feel this way, then let's get down to the bottom of it'.

Do you know any athletes who want to become an IFBB judge?

You know, I have never really given it any thought as to which athletes wants to become a judge. But look, for how many years has Shawn Ray been bitching and complaining about the judging system. A lot of the black athletes say stuff, but they will not go on record to say anything. Hey, you know me, I speak my mind. I don't care what the repercussions are going to be. If I do my job right, if I come out on stage looking the best that I can, let the chips fall where they may. Sometimes you have to speak out for the good of others.

Some judges are offended at your MD article. Which judge was the racist one?

If it offends them, that is their problem. Then they need to sit back and think about what they said, or who said what? I don't really care if they are offended by that. I am sorry. I am not going to say who the judge was because I don't want any repercussions on that individual. But believe me, they know exactly who they are. You think that the judge was the first one to make a racist remark. Come on. I am not going to back down from this. What makes me mad is people are going to tell me that I offend them. Well, perhaps you have done things that have offended me in the past. That's life. If you don't like it, that is too bad.

There are a lot of great judges out there. Ken Taylor, Sandy Ranalli, Debbie Elwoods. People who I know are very good judges. Incredible judges. In every bunch, there is a rotten apple, and they know it. And that is the whole bottom line.

Look, there is nothing that I say that most of us don't already know. Whether people want to admit it or not, I have heard all of these things before. If I am one of the first athletes to bring this to the forefront, and everybody now is in an uproar that Paul says bodybuilding is racist, that's too bad.

Let met ask you a question? How many white guys have told me 'Oh, I have a black friend.' Wow, that's cool. How would they feel if I asked them 'How would you feel if I wanted to date your sister?' Am I your friend? Really? If I am your friend, then you would let me date your sister. All of a sudden, it is not too cool then. It's ok for you and me to be friends as long as I don't date your sister, and I am not in your family.

Have you spoken to IFBB Vice President Wayne DeMilia about how you feel about these issues?

No, I have not spoken to Wayne as of yet on this. Wayne has not called me. Wayne knows my number, he can call me anytime. I absolutely do not have a problem with Wayne.

Is it not different in 2003 than it was 10 years ago?

No, it's bullshit. This thing is still the same. People who believe that it is different have their head up there ass. Nothing has changed. Still the same bullshit. Talk to other black athletes. Chris Cormier, Dexter Jackson, Flex Wheeler. I am telling you 'They will say nothing has changed'. Changed for who? Usually, the black athletes do not get the big contracts in bodybuilding. Oh yeah, you can say that Paul always seems to land the big deals. But that is because I don't accept any limitations on myself, and I believe that you are worth what you think you are worth.

Magazines

1994 September Vol 12, Num 7 Flex
1996 September Vol 14, Num 7 Flex
1997 May Vol 15, Num 3 Flex
2003 August Vol 40, Num 8 Muscular Development