Spartan Daily - Serving San Jose State University since 1934

Issue date: 7/25/08 Section: News

Media Credit: William Cooley Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger addresses members of the 2008 United States Olympic team, including three-time Olympic weightlifter Cheryl Haworth (left).

Media Credit: William Cooley Susan Francia, a member of the 2008 United States Olympic rowing team, answers questions from members of the media while arriving at the official Olympic processing center at San Jose State University.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger visited SJSU for roughly 20 minutes on July 25 to socialize with Beijing-bound U.S. athletes at the official Olympic processing center, which was held in the Student Union.

Schwarzenegger shook hands and quickly took photos with some of the Olympians before he addressed a crowd that included the visiting athletes, university officials, media members and event volunteers.

"You are heroes to millions and millions of young kids around the world who idolize and want to be, one day, in the place where you are," the governor said to the huddled crowd in the Barrett Ballroom.

Schwarzenegger said he understood the amount of work that goes into being an Olympic athlete.

"You train six, seven hours a day, and that doesn't even include the shower," he said.

Schwarzenegger's appearance coincided with one of 20 days in which U.S. Olympians would find themselves on SJSU's campus.

From July 18 to August 6, U.S. athletes passed through SJSU, some staying as long as 48 hours and others leaving in less than three, said Samantha Kilgore, communications specialist for the United States Olympic Committee.

Teams that required longer stays were housed in Campus Village Building C.

"We haven't really gotten a lot of time just to hang out and sit down and relax," three-time Olympic weightlifter Cheryl Haworth said. "We've sort of been shuttled in here and been going all day."

While Schwarzenegger chatted and posed with them, the athletes went through a procedure that all visiting 2008 U.S. Olympians are expected to experience.

The process included being fitted for official Olympic attire, taking a team photo, choosing an Olympic ring size, receiving clothing alterations and, if necessary, undergoing a medical review, Kilgore said.

The governor visited on a day when U.S. archery, water polo, track and field, sailing, taekwando, rowing, canoe/kayaking slalom and weightlifting teams underwent part or all of the official processing.

Men's rowing team member Matt Schnobrich said he wasn't expecting to meet Schwarzenegger during processing.

"This is my first Olympics," Schnobrich said, "and it's exciting that Governor Schwarzenegger is here too."

The governor wasn't the only person with an acting background present at processing.

Ninno DePatrick, a University of San Francisco graduate student and actor who once played Rick James in the E! Entertainment Television show "Infamous," volunteered to assist the athletes at the Student Union.

"I've enjoyed the experience," said DePatrick, who was also featured in television shows "Star Trek Voyager" and "Days of Our Lives." "I really didn't get too excited about Arnold's visit because I didn't know he was coming until earlier today."



Click below to watch Gov. Schwarzenegger's speech.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools