Sad news as Two Time Mr. Olympia Franco Columbu has passed away at age 78, due to a drowning accident.
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La Nuova reported that Columbu drowned while swimming at the beach in the town of \u200b\u200bSan Teodoro in Sardinia. Franco won the Mr. Olympia in 1976 and 1981. He and Arnold Schwarzenegger were best friends for 50+ years. Franco was also featured in the iconic movie ‘Pumping iron’. Franco was married to Deborah and they have a daughter called Maria.<\/p>\n
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From Arnold Schwarzenegger<\/p>\n
You\u2019ve heard me say that I don\u2019t like when people call me a self-made man. You\u2019ve even heard me say that you\u2019re part of the reason I could never accept that label. But I wanted you to know why. From the minute we met in Munich, you were my partner in crime. We pushed each other, we competed with each other, and we laughed at every moment along the way.<\/p>\n
When I finally got to America, I was alone. I\u2019d left my family, my country, my whole life behind. So when I asked Joe Weider to bring you to train with me, it was because I knew I wasn\u2019t the same without my best friend. I could thrive without money, without my parents, but I couldn\u2019t thrive without you. I am devastated today. But I am also so, so grateful for the 54 years of friendship and joy we shared. The pumps, the chess games, the construction work, the meals, the pranks, the life lessons – we did it all together. We grew and we learned and we loved. My life was more fun, more colorful, and more complete because of you.<\/p>\n
I will always miss you. But I\u2019ll also know that a part of you lives on in me, in Debbie, in Maria, and in the millions of people you inspired every day you lived. And I will be there for Maria and Debbie, so you can rest now with no worries. I love you Franco. I will always remember the joy you brought to my life, the advices you gave me, and the twinkle in your eye that never disappeared. You were my best friend.<\/p>\n
Love always,<\/p>\n
Arnold<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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