In 1979, Zane made it three in a row. Could he go on forever? Would he challenge Arnold's record of six Olympias in a row? Zane seemed unbeatable, but 1980 would prove to be the most controversial Olympia in history.

Frank Zane was proportioned and defined at under 200 pounds, and had a career that exemplified persistence. His was no meteoric rise to the top. After 10 years of working out, he won the 1968 IFBB Mr. America and IFBB Mr. Universe titles, handing a loss in the Mr. Universe contest to no less a body than Arnold Schwarzenegger. In 1969, Frank captured the IFBB Mr. World title. Zane competed in five IFBB Mr. Olympia's before winning the sport's top title in 1977, and then dominated the competition for the next two years.

When the sport experienced a massive expansion in the late 70s, he was the perfect spokesman for bodybuilding, his cultured persona and articulate nature a contradiction of the "musclehead" stereotype. He was seriously injured before the 1980 IFBB Mr. Olympia, but showed courage to persevere and gain third place.

Frank's career finale was represented by fourth place at the 1983 IFBB Mr. Olympia.