Jim Lorimer, the longstanding partner of California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for producing the Arnold Expo, said yesterday, "My dream is to bring U.S. men back to the top of the weightlifting world."

Lending dramatic emphasis to the depth of his feelings and commitment to rebuilding the sport of weightlifting in the U.S., Lorimer quoted Hamlet, saying, "'tis a consummation devoutly to be wished."

In recent years, Lorimer is best known for his role in producing the Arnold Expo, but weightlifting fans also know that Lorimer helped put on the 1970 World Weightlifting Championships, also in Columbus, Ohio, where the one and only Vasily Alexeev broke the 500-pound barrier in the clean and jerk.

Lorimer's support for weightlifting gave the sport a home earlier this year, as Megan Tornstrom and Mark Cannella, from the Columbus Weightlifting Club, brought the sport to the Arnold for the first time—which resulted in now-Governor Schwarzenegger's meeting personally with some of the lifters, coaches and members of the press to express his love of and direct support for the sport.

The 2004 Arnold Expo will again host weightlifting, and the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), showing its support for weightlifting at the Arnold, put the event on its official calendar for next year. 

Check the official Arnold Expo site for schedule details and ticket information and check the IWF site for major 2004 weightlifting events.