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http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=3578943
Iraq's Top Gym Changes Name to 'Arnold Classic'
Wed October 8, 2003 11:02 AM ET
By Brian Williams
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's top gym changed its name Wednesday to "The Arnold Classic" to honor former bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger's win in the California governor's race.
The victory even had some Iraqis -- long ruled by another strongman, Saddam Hussein, until his ouster in April by U.S.-led forces -- calling for a new leader in Schwarzenegger's mold.
Thousands of U.S. troops in Iraq, dubbed "Arnie's army" after the movie star visited them on America's July 4 Independence Day, were also elated.
Fans urged the Austrian-born Schwarzenegger to follow in the footsteps of Ronald Reagan to the White House, although this can only be a dream for him under current constitutional rules barring foreign-born citizens from becoming president.
But it was gym owner Sabah Mehdi's snap decision to change the name of his downtown Baghdad training facility from "Elegant Bodies" to "The Arnold Classic" that shone the clearest light on the cult-like following Schwarzenegger enjoys in Iraq.
From the man-in-the-street to aspiring bodybuilders sweating to lift weights, Schwarzenegger has long been a near icon in the country.
His muscle-bound image hangs above the front door of Mehdi's gymnasium, but posters of Schwarzenegger's sculpted body going back to the 1970s adorn not only gyms but shops, restaurants and petrol stations.
His appeal has survived unscathed wars waged by the United States on Iraq, making him the envy of American policymakers in their own uphill efforts to win the hearts and minds of Iraqis.
"Before anything he is a champion. He is above anything," Mehdi told Reuters at his gym, where the country's top weightlifters and other athletes have long trained.
"He was a champion in sport. He was a star of the movies. So it is no surprise that he is a champion politician. I am renaming my gym 'The Arnold Classic' from today," Mehdi said. "We need a strongman, a leader like him, in our country at this moment."
HASTA LA VISTA, SADDAM
In Tikrit, hometown of the former Iraqi president, some U.S. soldiers thought Schwarzenegger should set his sights even higher than governor of California.
"I think it's great. He's an immigrant and for him to take an interest in politics is great. I mean, why not? Ronald Reagan ended up being president," said Sgt. 1st Class Chris Lopez, 38, of Seminole, Texas.
"I like Arnold. I think they needed a change, somebody new," said Capt. Stella Patterson, 31, of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Schwarzenegger won many friends in the military when he traveled to Iraq in July to be with troops, telling crowds: "Congratulations for saying 'hasta la vista baby' to Saddam Hussein."
During the visit, when a run for governor of California was still just a gleam in his eye, he won laughs by saying:
"This is really wild driving around here. I mean the poverty. And you see there is no money. Disastrous financially. Then there is a leadership vacuum. Pretty much like in California right now."
On the streets of Baghdad Wednesday, there was nothing but admiration for Schwarzenegger's win and angry dismissal of allegations about sexual misconduct with women.
"These scandals are not true. His opponents just wanted to ruin his image to win the elections," said Kadhim Farhan.
Among U.S. troops, the mood was supportive.
"I don't have any problem with him being elected. I don't know anything bad about him," said Pfc. Sunshine Groth from Van Nuys, California, a member of the 104th Military Intelligence Battalion. "Rumors are always rumors."
(additional reporting by Ian Simpson in Tikrit)
Iraq's Top Gym Changes Name to 'Arnold Classic'
Wed October 8, 2003 11:02 AM ET
By Brian Williams
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's top gym changed its name Wednesday to "The Arnold Classic" to honor former bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger's win in the California governor's race.
The victory even had some Iraqis -- long ruled by another strongman, Saddam Hussein, until his ouster in April by U.S.-led forces -- calling for a new leader in Schwarzenegger's mold.
Thousands of U.S. troops in Iraq, dubbed "Arnie's army" after the movie star visited them on America's July 4 Independence Day, were also elated.
Fans urged the Austrian-born Schwarzenegger to follow in the footsteps of Ronald Reagan to the White House, although this can only be a dream for him under current constitutional rules barring foreign-born citizens from becoming president.
But it was gym owner Sabah Mehdi's snap decision to change the name of his downtown Baghdad training facility from "Elegant Bodies" to "The Arnold Classic" that shone the clearest light on the cult-like following Schwarzenegger enjoys in Iraq.
From the man-in-the-street to aspiring bodybuilders sweating to lift weights, Schwarzenegger has long been a near icon in the country.
His muscle-bound image hangs above the front door of Mehdi's gymnasium, but posters of Schwarzenegger's sculpted body going back to the 1970s adorn not only gyms but shops, restaurants and petrol stations.
His appeal has survived unscathed wars waged by the United States on Iraq, making him the envy of American policymakers in their own uphill efforts to win the hearts and minds of Iraqis.
"Before anything he is a champion. He is above anything," Mehdi told Reuters at his gym, where the country's top weightlifters and other athletes have long trained.
"He was a champion in sport. He was a star of the movies. So it is no surprise that he is a champion politician. I am renaming my gym 'The Arnold Classic' from today," Mehdi said. "We need a strongman, a leader like him, in our country at this moment."
HASTA LA VISTA, SADDAM
In Tikrit, hometown of the former Iraqi president, some U.S. soldiers thought Schwarzenegger should set his sights even higher than governor of California.
"I think it's great. He's an immigrant and for him to take an interest in politics is great. I mean, why not? Ronald Reagan ended up being president," said Sgt. 1st Class Chris Lopez, 38, of Seminole, Texas.
"I like Arnold. I think they needed a change, somebody new," said Capt. Stella Patterson, 31, of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Schwarzenegger won many friends in the military when he traveled to Iraq in July to be with troops, telling crowds: "Congratulations for saying 'hasta la vista baby' to Saddam Hussein."
During the visit, when a run for governor of California was still just a gleam in his eye, he won laughs by saying:
"This is really wild driving around here. I mean the poverty. And you see there is no money. Disastrous financially. Then there is a leadership vacuum. Pretty much like in California right now."
On the streets of Baghdad Wednesday, there was nothing but admiration for Schwarzenegger's win and angry dismissal of allegations about sexual misconduct with women.
"These scandals are not true. His opponents just wanted to ruin his image to win the elections," said Kadhim Farhan.
Among U.S. troops, the mood was supportive.
"I don't have any problem with him being elected. I don't know anything bad about him," said Pfc. Sunshine Groth from Van Nuys, California, a member of the 104th Military Intelligence Battalion. "Rumors are always rumors."
(additional reporting by Ian Simpson in Tikrit)
