Schwarzenegger opens Brazil sports festival via video as he recovers from open heart surgery

Record ID: 1113556

  • Title: Schwarzenegger opens Brazil sports festival via video as he recovers from open heart surgery
  • Date: 20th April 2018
  • Summary: SAO PAULO, BRAZIL (APRIL 20, 2018) (REUTERS) COMPETITORS BOXING ATHLETES PARTICIPATING IN MARTIAL ARTS COMPETITION ATHLETES PARTICIPATING IN POLE DANCING COMPETITION CROWD AT SPORTS FESTIVAL CROWD WALKING PAST STAND (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) ANA PAULA, ORGANIZER FOR ARNOLD SPORTS FESTIVAL SOUTH AMERICA, SAYING: "This is our sixth year here in Brazil and the event just keeps getting bigger. I'd say that after the original event, the Arnold Classic in the United States, Arnold South America is the largest event after the American one, larger than on any other continent. So it shows there is a strong and growing market (here)." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING THROUGH FESTIVAL MAN POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPH NEXT TO STATUE OF ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER AT ENTRANCE OF FESTIVAL STATUE OF SCHWARZENEGGER
  • Embargoed: 5th May 2018 00:07
  • Keywords: Arnold Schwarzenegger open heart surgery competition Arnold Sports Festival Arnold Classic
  • Location: SAO PAULO, BRAZIL
  • City: SAO PAULO, BRAZIL
  • Country: Brazil
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Sport,Weightlifting
  • Reuters ID: LVA0048C8J2NZ
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Actor and bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger told fans he is recovering after open heart surgery, as he officially opened the Arnold Sports Festival South America in Sao Paulo via live teleconference on Friday (April 20).
    "I had heart surgery, which was supposed to be a little procedure where I go in one day and get out the next day, then it turned into a big procedure. And now it's open heart surgery and here I am. The recovery's three months and I'm strictly forbidden to travel within these three months. I'm going to stretch it a little bit and travel earlier because I never abide by the rules, but nevertheless, this time I couldn't come down," the 70-year-old said.
    Schwarzenegger underwent heart surgery in California in late March to replace a valve that was originally replaced 20 years ago.
    The Arnold Classic in Brazil, which first came to the country in 2013, bills itself as South America's "largest international event of sport nutrition, health, sports, fights, performance and fitness."
    According to organizers, the festival is expected to host more than 10,000 athletes.
    It includes an expo and sports presentations in addition to a long list of competitions including power lifting, cycling, jump robe, martial arts and even pole dancing.
    Hosted at the Transamerica Expo Center in Sao Paulo, the festival will run through April 22.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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