Iraq's top gym is "Arnold Classic"

Rueters ^

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq (news - web sites)'s top gym has changed its name to "The Arnold Classic" to honour ex-bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger (news - web sites)'s win in the California governor's race.

The victory even had some Iraqis -- long ruled by another strongman, Saddam Hussein (news - web sites), until his ouster in April by U.S.-led forces -- calling for a new leader in Schwarzenegger's mould.

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 (news - web sites) 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 musclebound 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 former Iraqi president Saddam, 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 Sergeant First Class Chris Lopez, 38, of Seminole, Texas.

"I like Arnold. I think they needed a change, somebody new," said Captain Stella Patterson, 31, of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Schwarzenegger won many friends in the military when he travelled to Iraq in July to be with troops, telling crowds: "Congratulations for saying hasta la vista (goodbye) 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 on 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 Private First Class Sunshine Groth from Van Nuys California, a member of the 104th Military Intelligence Battalion. "Rumours are always rumours."

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

An Iraqi man pumps iron near a poster of film star Arnold Schwarzenegger (news - web sites) in a central Baghdad gym October 8, 2003. Iraq (news - web sites)'s top gym changed its name on Wednesday to The Arnold Classic to honor the ex-bodybuilder's win in the California gubernatorial race, a victory that even had some Iraqis calling on him to become their new strongman. REUTERS/Chris Helgren

Owners of an Iraqi gym watch an Arab satellite news channel's coverage of Arnold Schwarzenegger (news - web sites)'s win in the California recall vote, in central Baghdad October 8, 2003. Iraq (news - web sites)'s top gym changed its name on Wednesday to The Arnold Classic to honor the ex-bodybuilder's win in the California gubernatorial race, a victory that even had some Iraqis calling on him to become their new strongman. REUTERS/Chris Helgren

An Iraqi sportsman poses in front of the Olympic rings in a Baghdad gym in this September 30, 2003 file photo. International Olympic Committe (IOC (news - web sites)) President Jacques Rogge said on Monday that Iraq (news - web sites), Afghanistan (news - web sites) and East Timor (news - web sites) would definitely send delegations to the Athens Olympic Games (news - web sites) next year. REUTERS/Laszlo Balogh

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Your ping list please. This is just too good. Arnold can save the world!!!

[stainlessbanner]

"Elegant Bodies" sounds like a lingerie shop.

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[EggsAckley]

Your wish is my command!

[CheneyChick]

I love this! Did you see this one too?

Afghani children smile in front of a billboard featuring Hollywood action hero Arnold Schwarzenegger (news - web sites) in Kabul October 8, 2003. The man they know as 'Arnold, the American man, the bodybuilder', was elected as the new governor of California on Tuesday. Schwarzenegger is a hero among many in Kabul where bodybuilding is a popular sport. REUTERS/Rathavary Duong

[Pan_Yans Wife]

ping

[ILBBACH]

I wonder if they have seen his movies...doesn't he fight practitioners of the religion of peace in True Lies?

[jae471]

The Crimson Jihad, I believe.

[mewzilla]

Yup, but the same kind of nuts are the ones killing their fellow Muslims.

[prairiebreeze]

Arnold's hugely popular in Iraq? Who'da thunk?

But as I related on another thread, these days when I'm pumping iron at my gym I think of Arnold. And in my mind hear him say, "You mawst be dee-cee-plined. You mawst stay weeth it. Weening takes vork." etc. etc.

I need lots of inspiration.

Prairie

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Very interesting insight into how your mind works. :)

[DoctorZIn]

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[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thanks, PYW! We knew. (^:

HASTA LA VISTA, SADDAM

Arnold's win a morale booster for the good guys in Iraq ~ most Iraqis and our hero troops!

Arnold loves America.

Another bad day for the bad guys!

 Thanks, Tonkin!

If you want on or off my Pro-Coalition ping list, please Freepmail me. Warning: it is a high volume ping list on good days. (Most days are good days).

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[Pyro7480]

Arnold's hugely popular in Iraq? Who'da thunk?

I know, particularly since one of Arnold's movies, True Lies, featured Arnold fighting Muslim terrorists.

[MEG33]

This is amazing!Small world after all!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Iraqis -- long ruled by another strongman, Saddam Hussein

Would Reuters have called Hitler a strongman?

Ted Bundy, Charles Manson, Idi Amin? Sick. Sick. Sick!

[blackie]

Another bad day for the bad guys! ~ Bump!

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Our troops were pumpin iron at this gym too!!

So a huge bump for our troops, and for Governor Schwarzenegger.

Dang it's good to smile again!!

BTW, I beat RUETERS by posting this first on FR!!

:o)