TheArnoldFans Remembers Jim Lorimer

It was a sad day to learn Jim Lorimer, co-founder of the Arnold Classic, died Thursday at age 96. Jim was a major help to TheArnoldFans over the decades to ensure we had interviews with Arnold or had other great press opportunities for us to cover the Arnold Classic. There was always a sparkle in Jim’s eye as he smiled and greeted the fans, press, bodybuilders and athletes over the multi-day event in Columbus, Ohio. Jim Lorimer gave TheArnoldFans several great statements and full interviews over the years as well. Click HERE to read one such interview. http://www.thearnoldfans.com/news/2015/1/22/exclusive-interview-with-jim-lorimer-talent-trophies-termina.html. Lorimer, having known Schwarzenegger for such a long time was naturally a huge Arnold Fan and he told us his favorite movies are the Terminator films. 

Born Oct. 7, 1926, in Bristol, Penn., Lorimer lived a full and active life until nearly the end. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Lorimer graduated from Ursinus College before receiving a law degree from Penn State University and began a career as a special agent with the FBI.

"I will miss his wisdom, I will miss his mentorship, Schwarzenegger began. "I will miss his kind, kind heart. I will miss his sense of humor and his desire to make the world a better place and his friendship. But Jim will always be with me. He helped make me who I am. He’ll always be with all of us.” CLICK HERE to read Arnold’s full statement. https://medium.com/@Schwarzenegger/thank-you-jim-847b4b158242

In the ‘70s. Lorimer invited the young Austrian bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger to Columbus, igniting a lifelong partnership that resulted in the two founding the Arnold Classic — which became the Arnold Sports Festival — in 1989. From its simple founding as a body-building contest, the event grew into the biggest weekend event in Columbus, and one that has been duplicated on five continents.

Lorimer once gave me a gift that I shall forever treasure: a desk set which contains a fountain pen and bronze Arnold Classic medal. Ryan of TheArnoldFans sat next to both Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jim Lorimer at a table interviewing them about the 30^th anniversary of the Arnold Sports Festival. We will miss you Jim but we know your incredible contribution to the bodybuilding community will live on. Sparkle on, Jim!