Ben Weider Receives "Lifetime Achievement Award"
from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Executive Assistant to the President
"In sport, there are no limitations, no barriers of race, religion, politics or culture. In sport, we are in touch with each other. Bodybuilding is important for Nation Building"
- Ben Weider, O.C., C.St.J, C.Q., Ph.D.
IFBB Founder and Honorary Life President
*** CLICK ON THE PHOTOGRAPH BELOW TO VIEW BEN WEIDER’S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH ***
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Ben Weider receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
*Photograph by Isaac Hinds
In front of an enthusiastic and cheering crowd of 5,000 bodybuilding fans, Ben Weider was presented with the annual Arnold Schwarzenegger "Lifetime Achievement Award" by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Saturday, March 2, 2008 at the Arnold Sports Festival, Columbus, Ohio.
The Arnold Schwarzenegger "Lifetime Achievement Award" is given to individuals whose careers have greatly contributed to the advancement or promotion of physical activity, fitness, or sports worldwide.
Ben Weider is Honorary Life President of the International Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness (IFBB), which he founded with his brother Joe, in Montreal, Canada, in 1946. The IFBB was started with only two countries, Canada and the U.S.A., to promote the sport of bodybuilding. Thanks to Ben Weider’s leadership, dedication and ability to bring people together, the IFBB now includes 182 countries and is the 5th largest sport federation in the world.
The tribute, both heartfelt and good-natured, focused on Ben Weider’s pioneering efforts in promoting health and fitness for more then sixty years to people worldwide. During the award presentation, Governor Schwarzengger praised Ben Weider commenting, "Thank you on behalf of millions of bodybuilders worldwide. If it was not for you, we would not have this great sport."
"This award means so much to me because it was given to me by my peers," Weider said. "I’ve dedicated 60 years of my life to developing this sport and this award has an emotional attachment to me."
There are only seven other recipients of this distinguished award: Joe Weider, Bill Pearl, Frank Zane, Reg Park, Jim Lorimer, Jack LaLanne, Lee Haney and Cory Everson.
For the most up to date information related to the IFBB Professional League, visit the official web site www.ifbbpro.com.
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