Arnold Schwarzenegger was the first person to win the Mr. Olympia seven times. However, Schwarzenegger also gave back to the sport that made him famous. In a recent interview, the Austrian Oak spoke about James J. Lorimer, who contributed to bodybuilding like him. Lorimer dedicated his life to developing bodybuilding and other sports. In fact, the former mayor of Ohio was among the first people to empower women’s sports.

During the interview, Schwarzenegger heaped praises his old friend. Unlike the Austrian, Lorimer didn’t compete in bodybuilding. However, he had been a promoter for decades and one of the main organizers of the Arnold Sports festival. While speaking with Nick Miller, the former Mr. Olympia spoke about Lorimer’s contribution to athletics in the 60s.

Arnold Schwarzenegger recalled the actions of a pioneer 

Like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jim Lorimer had a versatile career. Besides being a legendary promoter for bodybuilding and weightlifting, Lorimer promoted other sports. “He was promoting women’s athletics in Ohio, because he was so pissed off about the fact that the Russians will beat the American women in the Olympics,” said Schwarzenegger during the interview.

The seven-time Mr. Olympia said Lorimer saw the potential in American women. However, the Mayor of Ohio also realized that women in the 60s didn’t get the support they needed to win medals. So Lorimer used his political standing, “went out and started promoting women, track and field.” Lorimer started with Ohio and then expanded to the rest of America.

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Schwarzenegger also said Lorimer was among the first promoters to give a platform to women of color. The former Mr. Olympia said “the eulogies of the black women that he supported way back in the 60s,” at Lorimer’s funeral earlier this year were proof of his greatness. With equality and women’s rights, the mayor of Ohio “was ahead of everybody,” said Schwarzenegger.

A friend and a mentor

Arnold Schwarzenegger recalled meeting the former attorney and F.B.I special agent in the 70s. The former attorney was like a father figure to Schwarzenegger. However, the bodybuilding icon revealed Lorimer considered himself a “brother figure.” The seven-time champion said Lorimer was a mentor who taught him a lot about organizing shows and helped him establish the Arnold Classic.

Schwarzenegger also said his legendary friend’s work ethic and dedication inspired him. Despite being over 90, Lorimer continued to organize bodybuilding shows, said the former Mr. Olympia.

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James J. Lorimer passed away on November 24, 2022. He was 96. Did you find Lorimer’s story inspiring?