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[Definitie:] "An ergogenic aid is any substance or phenomenon that enhances performance."
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0 2 - 0 3 - 2 0 0 6 Governor to star as gladiator 'god'
He'll appear in Ohio at blood-and-guts kickoff to fitness expo
Carla Marinucci and Edward Epstein It's touted in ads as "pure might battling pure fear,'' a marriage of "raw power and brute force'' complete with girls, guts, blood and plenty of grit.
And while so-called gladiator or ultimate fighting has gained legions of new fans and celebrity supporters nationwide, the planned appearance of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger at a major pay-per-view fight in Columbus, Ohio, this weekend could fire up not only sports aficionados but the governor's critics as well. That's especially true because Schwarzenegger signed legislation last September paving the way for such fights to be legal in California -- where the first such state-sanctioned card is planned at the HP Pavilion next week in San Jose. The sport, also known as cage fighting or mixed martial arts, has been blasted by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., as "barbaric" human cockfighting, and New York state banned the practice several years ago after Gov. George Pataki called it a "Neanderthal sport.'' But those associated with the action-packed events argue that they've responded to the criticisms in recent years with reforms that make ultimate fighting far safer -- and far more regulated. Schwarzenegger is scheduled to make a star turn Friday at a "gladiator" match called the Gracie Fighting Championships, touted as the spectacular kickoff to the Arnold Fitness Expo and Arnold Classic, which features amateur and pro fitness competitions, challenges and expos in 30 sports this weekend in Columbus. Fight night at Columbus' Nationwide Arena will draw an estimated 8,000 fans and a live pay-per-view audience of at least 300,000 more. Organizers say "some of the toughest fighters on the planet'' will engage in five-minute freestyle "mixed martial arts" matchups using a potent blend of karate, boxing, wrestling, Thai kickboxing, judo and ju jitsu. The California governor's presence at this -- and all the Arnold Classic-related events -- has been trumpeted on the Internet and in ads bearing his photo and name. Video spots previewing the evening's title matchup promise that fans will witness "bone-crushing submissions." Margita Thompson, spokeswoman for Schwarzenegger, said Wednesday that the governor will fly to Ohio Friday night and will proudly attend as many of the Arnold weekend events as possible. "This is who he is,'' she said of her boss, the former world-class bodybuilder and Hollywood action star. "It's not surprising.'' Last year, the California governor announced he would cut all financial ties to the Columbus event that bears his name, and its Ohio-based parent firm, Classic Productions, after news stories revealed he held a $5 million-plus contract with Muscle & Fitness and Flex Magazine, two publications produced by tabloid giant American Media Inc. Paul Wachter, the governor's financial adviser, said then that the governor would continue to attend Classic events but would receive no income from them. "It's not about the money. It never was,'' he told The Chronicle in an interview last year. "The fundamental principle is, the guy loves this whole thing." Pay-per-view fight promoter Wayne DeMilia, a longtime acquaintance of the governor, said Schwarzenegger is unquestionably a draw for the estimated 120,000 fans and 15,000 athletes who will attend the weekend's events and see him as "a god" in the fitness world. Schwarzenegger's presence is particularly anticipated at the gladiator fight, where he will present legendary boxer Joe Frazier with a lifetime achievement award, DeMilia said. Former San Francisco 49ers receiver Jerry Rice and former heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield also will attend, DeMilia said. Already, such gladiator-style fighting events have become a hot ticket, DeMilia said, thanks to plenty of action, fast pacing, buff macho competitors and colorfully staged theatrical touches like bikini-clad "ring girls.'' "It's legalized barroom brawls. They get in there and pound each other,'' DeMilia said. Male fans "like it because it's vicious and macho,'' DeMilia said, "and the women like it because they're built nice. There's a sex appeal.'' DeMilia said that in response to concerns about violence, the sport promoters in 2001 created weight classes and time limits, required more safety equipment and cracked down on dangerous practices like biting, scratching and stomping during matches, which are performed in cages or octagonal rings. That's a change from just a few years ago, when "ultimate fighting" was "a fight to the finish with virtually everything you could think of, '' said Armando Garcia, executive officer of the California State Athletic Commission. "Now it's more mainstream.'' Some critics, such as New Jersey-based American Medical Association board member Dr. Peter Carmel, are openly skeptical about the claims of safety and say the practice poses severe health risks to fighters. "I have no doubt if we bring back lions and Christians, we would fill coliseums,'' he told the Sacramento Bee last year. "Do I see a future in it for the entrepreneurs? Oh, yeah. It's a brilliant future. Do I think these men in this sport have a future? It's bleak.'' In an election year, Schwarzenegger's presence at such an event illustrates the Republican politician's unique salesmanship credentials, but it also could hand his opponents some ammunition about his judgment. "What a photo op -- to have Arnold with some bloody competitors who have just beaten each other up for entertainment,'' crowed Democratic activist Gloria Nieto. 'That's exactly the image we need for California.'' Michael Semler, a Cal State Sacramento government professor, said Schwarzenegger's already shaky approval ratings may suffer if voters question such events outside the state and ask, "Isn't being governor a full-time job?'' He calls the fight night appearance "a short-term gain for high risk,'' adding, "I don't know of any other governor ... who has been engaged in such business on the side.'' But Hoover Institution research fellow Bill Whalen, who has advised state Republican officials in the past, said critics are racking their brains over "how politically correct can one be'' when it comes to a unique elected official who established his name and his fortune in the competitive world of body building. "This is old home week for him,'' said Whalen, adding that the Arnold Expo and Classic and its related events are Schwarzenegger's way of "going back to the world he came from. These are his people, this is his community, and this is where he comes from." Schwarzenegger will appear in Ohio just a week before California's first state-sanctioned ultimate fighting match, planned for March 10 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. Already, unofficial fights have begun in recent weeks at Native American-run casinos like Cache Creek. A 2004 bill by state Sen. Liz Figueroa, D-Fremont, which the governor signed last September and which went into effect this year, mandates that the state Athletic Commission develop regulations for such events and take the responsibility for overseeing them. Garcia, of the commission, said not a single opponent came forward during the public comment period to take a stand against the measure or the matches, which also are legal in Florida, New Jersey and Nevada. The bill's effects already have been seen: At least eight major mixed martial arts events are scheduled at major state venues in the next two months, Garcia said, adding that "this looks to be a big year for us.'' While critics may try to capitalize on the governor's connection, Whalen said, "It's a classic example of bringing up an issue that (California voters) don't care about. "They're worrying about environment and education," he said, "and not about the governor going to a brawl in Ohio.'' 0 4 - 0 3 - 2 0 0 6 Governor skips fight event
Planned mixed martial arts appearance raised a fuss
Carla Marinucci and Edward Epstein
Columbus, Ohio -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger canceled his plans Friday to lend his star power to a controversial card of "gladiator'' style bouts, acting quickly to end a day of controversy that had complicated his negotiations with legislative Democrats over his huge public-works financing proposal. The governor decided not to attend a card of mixed martial arts matches just hours before the event was to begin Friday night at the Nationwide Arena before a nationwide pay-per-view TV audience. The mixed martial arts event, which had touted the governor's appearance for months, was the opening highlight of the Arnold Fitness Expo and Arnold Classic, a sports festival that is expected to draw 120,000 people by the time it ends Sunday. Schwarzenegger flew to Columbus on Friday after attending the funeral in San Bernardino of California Highway Patrol officer Gregory Bailey, who was killed by a suspected drunken driver last Saturday. He attended the finals of three of the Arnold Classic's women's body building and fitness competitions -- Ms. International, Fitness International and Figure International -- but skipped his scheduled appearance at the final MMA bouts, where he was to present a lifetime-achievement award to former heavyweight boxing champion Joe Frazier. The governor, in an interview late Friday night at his hotel, said he knew his schedule included an award presentation to Frazier, but had just learned the appearance was at the MMA event. "I'm not against it," Schwarzenegger said of the mixed martial arts competition. "(But) I knew nothing about it (in advance)." The governor's press aides initially said Schwarzenegger would miss the bouts because he would arrive late in Ohio after the funeral. But later they acknowledged he planned to attend the Friday night women's bodybuilding show as scheduled. "I go every year (to the classic) and visit as many sports as possible. I'm a big admirer of all the martial arts," the governor said in the interview. The governor had been criticized for his scheduled appearance at the fighting event and for his continued connection with the fitness-supplement industry that dominates the sports expo that bears his name. Schwarzenegger, a former Mr. Olympia who helped popularize body building a generation ago, created the Arnold Classic in 1989. But the Hollywood-star-turned-governor maintained that he hadn't authorized his name to be used to promote the fighting event, saying people sometimes take advantage of his celebrity without his knowledge. Schwarzenegger told a Sacramento press conference on Thursday that if Democratic legislative leaders asked, he might skip his trip to Columbus to remain in the capital to negotiate plans for a giant infrastructure bond issue. The governor's proposed 10-year program to build roads, bridges, schools and other public works projects has become the chief initiative of the governor's administration. He plans to go to voters with $25.2 billion in bonds for the effort this year, but Friday is the deadline to put a measure on the June primary ballot. Schwarzenegger still plans to attend tonight's finals of the Arnold Classic, the men's bodybuilding show that for the governor is the centerpiece of the weekend sports festival. In all, there is competition in some 30 sports -- from weightlifting to gymnastics to table tennis -- involving thousands of participants. There also is a 650-booth exhibition in the Greater Columbus Convention Center featuring all things muscle. Most of the exhibitors in the jammed hall are supplement companies passing out free samples of fat burners and protein bars. Los Angeles political analyst Sheri Bebitch Jeffe said the governor's decision to change his schedule and avoid Friday's fights showed he was bending to political heat. "He makes a decision and gets a whole lot of static and pulls out,'' she said. "If he didn't think it was the kind of event he should be going to, he ought not have made the decision in the first place.'' To one disappointed fan waiting for the fight card, Schwarzenegger's change of heart was plainly political. "He's a politician, and he's trying to find a way to please everybody,'' said Rett Warren, a strength coach at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. Before the governor's reversal became public, former pro bodybuilder Shawn Ray had praised Schwarzenegger for planning to attend the controversial cage-fighting bouts. "Before Arnold was a politician, he was an athlete. You just don't change your colors. More props to him for keeping it real. "Some people change, but we still see the old Arnold. That's who we love," said Ray, a past winner of the Arnold Classic title who lives in Orange County. 0 5 - 0 3 - 2 0 0 6 The governor vs. the bodybuilder -- again
Critics say state, not controversial sport, deserves attention
Carla Marinucci and Edward Epstein
Columbus, Ohio -- As California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger plunged through adoring crowds Saturday at the Arnold Expo, the former bodybuilder and Hollywood star showcased his real muscle: an uncanny talent for promotion, coupled with an ability to inspire fans. But at the huge annual fitness event bearing his name, Schwarzenegger also confronted the inherent dilemma in his entertainment profile: the potential for conflict when the governor of California moonlights as a high-profile salesman for a major industry. The California governor, a seven-time Mr. Olympia, has tirelessly supported physical fitness causes, including after-school programs and those fighting obesity in youth. But he remains involved with some of the more controversial aspects of the fitness industry, such as the Arnold Classic, a professional competition in bodybuilding, a sport rife with steroid abuse. Last year, he resigned as an executive editor of two muscle magazines after it was revealed that he held a multimillion-dollar contract with American Media Inc., the tabloid giant and magazine publisher. Columns carrying his bylines still appear in the magazines, which frequently use his photos and feature him in articles. Also during last year's Arnold Expo weekend, supplement makers met with Schwarzenegger to form a new lobbying group to protect their industry against further regulation, particularly from Congress angered by the rise of steroids in professional sports. Schwarzenegger's conflict this week came as promoters and event planners at the Arnold Classic widely advertised his appearance at a gladiator-style "fight night," a controversial mixed martial arts event that served Friday night as a kickoff to the three-day fitness festival attended by an estimated 120,000. Schwarzenegger was scheduled to present former heavyweight boxing champion Joe Frazier with a lifetime achievement award at the mixed martial arts fights, which have been blasted as human cockfighting and are sanctioned in just a handful of states, including California. The governor skipped the event, however, saying he didn't know until just a day earlier that the gladiator bouts were the venue for the award presentation. The governor explained that promoters, fans and friends sometimes, mistakenly or intentionally, use his name without his permission. With the governor seeking re-election, political opponents seized on the issue, saying Schwarzenegger's continued ties to the fitness world raise questions about his credibility and political judgment. Garry South, the veteran Democratic strategist advising Controller Steve Westly, a Democratic candidate for governor, called Schwarzenegger's explanation about the mixed martial art event "hard to believe." "This is a guy who recently threatened to sue a car dealer in Ohio for using a shot of the Terminator in an ad, and who threatened to sue me for sending out an article already in the public domain," said South, referring to a time several years ago when he distributed an unflattering Premiere magazine article about Schwarzenegger. "This is a man who prides himself on protecting his franchise. He employs batteries of lawyers to make sure his name and likeness is not used," South said. Perhaps more disturbing, said South, is Schwarzenegger's decision to leave California for his fitness activities while the governor and the Legislature have not reached agreement on a proposed bond issue for the June ballot that would begin to finance an ambitious 10-year public works program. "We are literally days away from the deadline to get an infrastructure bond on the June ballot, and he's not here negotiating with the Legislature," South said. "He needs to be staying home sticking to business instead of pursuing his night job." Friday is the deadline to place a measure on the June ballot, but South failed to mention that Democratic legislative leaders, including Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez, said they didn't see a need at this point for the governor to remain in Sacramento for weekend negotiations -- and didn't know if they would be available. State Sen. Jackie Speier, D-Hillsborough, a candidate for lieutenant governor, said the governor should stop going to the expo that bears his name and is sponsored largely by the fitness and dietary supplement industry. Last year, she noted, he attended the Arnold Expo just after vetoing her bill calling for tougher regulation of the products -- a bill he eventually signed. "It's time he takes a sabbatical from his other financial interests," she said. "To really be an independent elected official, represent the issues of California, he really needs to sever his relationships with all these activities." The governor has said he has ended his financial ownership of the fitness event, which he created in 1989. Schwarzenegger credits bodybuilding, which he brought to prominence a generation ago, as being fundamental to his transformation from unknown Austrian immigrant to major motion picture star and then to one of America's most visible politicians. Bruce Cain, professor of politics at UC Berkeley, said Schwarzenegger's actions highlight a resume unique in California politics. "Arnold was rich before he came to Sacramento. He was a celebrity," Cain said. "But it's clear he doesn't want to lose his celebrity status for the sake of being governor." As Schwarzenegger took his customary walk around the Expo Saturday, it was evident that his star has not dimmed in the fitness world. Sales representatives begged him to enter their booths to pose with fans and products; he was mobbed by crowds screaming his name and hundreds of people waited patiently, digital cameras and cell phones poised, hoping to snap a shot of him on his route. Many who attended this week's event, including those who have known and admired Schwarzenegger for years, defended the governor's actions, saying he has had a positive influence on countless lives as a fitness icon. "He's doing a great job," said bodybuilder and actor Lou Ferrigno, better know to TV fans as the star of "The Incredible Hulk." "He's been a bodybuilder his whole life ... and he's just trying to keep his connection to the industry," Ferrigno said, adding that Schwarzenegger showed many in the fitness industry that they could expand their interests, contacts and roles in the business and professional world. He noted that, inspired by Schwarzenegger, he has taken on a dual role and recently became a Los Angeles County reserve deputy sheriff. "That was a passion of mine," he said, "and between the governor and me, we're both giving back." And at the Friday night fights, fans said they didn't hold it against Schwarzenegger that he opted to avoid the event. "I don't blame him," said "ultimate fighting" champion Don Frye, watching two competitors pummel each other from ringside, where he acted as a judge. "This is controversial, and it's one of the country's fastest-growing sports, but Arnold's got more important things to do back in California." 0 5 - 0 3 - 2 0 0 6 Schwarzenegger still a hit at Arnold Fitness Weekend
KRT COLUMBUS, Ohio - Highway patrolmen from two states cleared a path, using their arms as human barriers: "Make a hole, folks. Let the man move." Children craned to see a swoop of auburn hair and a glimpse of tanned skin. Old friends materialized from hallways and booths to bask in the reflected adulation. "We love you Arnold!" "He's not as tall as I thought." "Down in front!" "Come this way Arnold, c'mon." Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's adrenaline-paced Saturday tour through the Arnold Fitness Weekend in this capital city looked a lot like California, circa 2003. Back home now, the governor's popularity has tumbled. Criticism follows his alliance with bodybuilding - a sport where use of steroids and other performance-enhancing supplements is common." Going to this event sends impressionable young people the wrong message," state Sen. Jackie Speier, a Democrat, e-mailed from California. "The governor is setting a bad example and he should be ashamed of himself." But at this fitness extravaganza, Schwarzenegger was welcomed Saturday with outstretched arms. Literally. At one point, four sparkly, tiny, squealing cheerleaders flung themselves around Schwarzenegger's waist." He's always going to have respect here," said MetRX rep Kim Harris, who on Friday night took ninth place at the Ms. International contest, Schwarzenegger's first stop in Ohio. In politics, "everyone doesn't like his views, maybe. But on fitness, he's right on point." Walking through the 650-vendor Arnold Expo Saturday morning, the governor, accompanied by sons Patrick and Christopher, stopped to sign memorabilia being sold for charity. A signed replica of the sword Schwarzenegger used in Conan the Barbarian could be had for $10,000. Schwarzenegger popped by booths selling products named Muscle Armor, Shredded Mass and one that advertised itself as "The only hard-core anabolic stack left after the ban." He posed for photographs with old bodybuilding friends now in the supplement business and the omnipresent women spilling out of their eensy sports bras. A man with a microphone barked out to Schwarzenegger from EAS's space - complete with flashing purple lights and a stage: "I'd love to talk to you, Arnold. Can you come up for a sec?" Here, the governor said, "the whole idea is to inspire people and to motivate people to get healthy and get fit." "This is all for you. We are doing this every year for the people, for our fans and for our friends who have been loyal and have been coming here every year." Since 1976, Schwarzenegger and friend Jim Lorimer have hosted bodybuilding contests in Columbus. The two christened what's now called the Arnold Fitness Weekend in 1989. The centerpiece is the Arnold Classic bodybuilding show Saturday night. Traveling Columbus in a six-vehicle motorcade, the governor found time for more than bodybuilding. With a retinue of aides and staffers in tow, Schwarzenegger visited close to a dozen sporting events. He saw: Thirteen-year-old power lifter Jenny Sawyer hoist a 165-pound barbell over her head. Team Killerspin table tennis stars from Romania and Croatia grunted and power-served their way through two close games. And a 9-year-old martial artist with two prosthetic legs did his thing. "You're a machine," Schwarzenegger told him.
After a few hours of free time, Schwarzenegger crowned the champion of the Arnold Classic finals. Later Saturday at the Hyatt Capitol Square, the governor's friend Frank Zane - who aced out a novice Schwarzenegger to become Mr. Universe in 1968 - had a special treat planned. Zane, the vocalist, and his band penned this rap for the occasion: "In my life, I've been fortunate enough/ to meet a man called Arnold Schwarzenegger, and that's no bluff." |
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