USAPL Dominance challenged?

Reported on Powerlifting Watch as of recent is announcement by a group called the XPC  (Xtreme Powerlifting Coalition). A combination of Powerlifting feds where gear use is unlimited, and drug testing does not exist has gained access to the Arnold Sports Festival for 2013. The report from Powerlifting Watch reads as follows;

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From Danny Dague: Just met with the Lorimer brothers and finalized all the details that will put the XPC AND MULTI-PLY back on the event calendar Arnold Weekend. We will be showcased at Veterans Memorial where the bodybuilding show is held. Also the Lorimer's who produce Arnold weekend and I will be joining forces for the 2012 XPC FALL SPORTS FEST and this will be a qualifier for the March 2013 meet.

There will be numerous details to come in the next few days. Also the USAPL will still have their competition but the venue for them is not determined yet. This is a huge day for me personally as this is something I've really wanted to see happen. I'm not going to be competing as much anymore so I really want to be the best meet promoter I can be. I hope you guys come out and take this huge step with us!

The USAPL in 2008 replaced the now defunct WPO which was presumed by many at the time that the Arnold wanted a Powerlifting organization that promoted drug free lifting. Does this recent news mean the goals of the Arnold have changed, or does it mean that drug free lifting wasn’t the reason all along for the USAPL being admitted to the Arnold? Or was the XPC entrance to the Arnold only a business transaction that worked out well for both parties.

Which ever the reason, the USAPL has had a number of controversial events caused largely by its own decision process happen since 2008. The USAPL has struggled to gain and keep sponsors, and in 2011 it found the Raw Challenge and other events moved from a large ball room, to a far smaller venue off from the main way at the Arnold Sports Festival. And now the XPC, which lifting style is about as polar opposite to the USAPL has the biggest stage of the entire Arnold weekend. Bigger then any stage the USAPL has gained to date.

Is the USAPL dominance at the Arnold Sports Festival coming to an end? Will this event return to its previous avenue of Powerlifitng? Look to thepowerliftingforum.com to cover this more in the future.

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Lost, but still drug tested.