The Arnold Sports Festival By Max Swahn Founded in 1989 in Columbus, Ohio as a 1 day bodybuilding competition named The Arnold Classic, the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Arnold Sports Festival (ASF) has grown to become the largest 4-day multi-sport event in the world. Held not only in the United States, the ASF is also currently held in Australia, Europe, Brazil and Africa. According to PCMA, the Professional Convention Management Association, “In 1989, after winning the Mr. Olympia contest in Columbus every year between 1970-1975, bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger, along with sports promoter Jim Lorimer, launched the very first Arnold Sports Festival. What began as a small, one-day professional bodybuilding competition in Columbus, with just 24 competitors, is now an international four-day festival that features more than 80 sports and events and draws more athletes than the Olympics!.” Featuring over 22,000 athletes from around the world, it now encompasses not only bodybuilding (the Arnold Classic), but strongman (the Arnold Strongman Classic), fitness, figure and bikini competitions (professional and amateur), and so much more. These athletes will compete in more than 80 different events including a record 16 Olympic events. The ASF website lists the 16 Olympic events as: “archery, boxing, fencing, futsal, gymnastics, handball, judo, karate, a 5K run, soccer, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, triathlon and weightlifting.” In addition to the 22,000 athletes, it is expected that more than 200,000 sports and fitness fans will descend upon the Columbus Ohio area to cheer on their favorite athletes. Events will be held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, the Ohio Expo Center and various other central Ohio venues.
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