Arnold Sports Festival 2023: Elite Athletes and Massive Crowds in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Arnold Sports Festival returns to Columbus this weekend, welcoming thousands of athletes and fitness fans to the Greater Columbus Convention Center for one of the most significant multi-sport events globally. This annual festival, co-founded by Arnold Schwarzenegger and the late Jim Lorimer, offers a diverse range of competitions, from bodybuilding and powerlifting to boxing, martial arts, and dance, typically featuring over 20,000 athletes from around the world.

For many competitors, simply participating in this prestigious festival is a significant achievement. Bodybuilder Joe Sottile, 47, from Long Island, New York, reflects, “This was always a dream of mine since I started competing. These are some of the most elite lifters in the entire country, and I’m proud just to be a part of it.”

The four-day festival, now in its 37th year in Columbus, features not only bodybuilders but also strength events, vendor expos, and opportunities to meet athletes. The expo floor showcases hundreds of booths with fitness equipment, supplements, and apparel for fitness enthusiasts to explore.

Leigh Bravo from B.O.O.M. Worldwide captures the spirit of the festival, saying, “It’s enthralling. It’s exhilarating. It’s empowering.” Competitor Joshua Bebee, 13, jokes about the atmosphere, mentioning, “It’s a lot of big people. I kind of look small compared to everybody else. You see a lot of jacked people.” He also hopes to catch a glimpse of Arnold Schwarzenegger himself, sharing, “I heard that Arnold is gonna be here. I hope he’s here. I hope I get a good picture with him.”

Many athletes credit Schwarzenegger as a source of inspiration in their fitness journeys. Joe Sottile reminisces, “Growing up in the early ’80s, Arnold Schwarzenegger was my absolute idol.” Beyond the excitement of competition, the talent displayed at the festival serves as motivation for many. “It’s really inspiring to see the strength on some of these individuals. The physical shape that some of these people are in is unbelievable,” Sottile added.

Ella Nicholson, a 19-year-old competitor from Missouri, drove six and a half hours to participate in her second festival. Reflecting on her experience, she said, “It’s worth it. I broke six American records in both junior and senior weight classes.”

Timothy, 8, who attended the event for the first time, shared his excitement: “I did 51 pushups. I got fourth place. And then I went to grab a lot of stuff, and now my backpack is stuffed.” His grandmother, Shameka Daniels, added, “I took off work today to bring him. We’re gonna make it a tradition.”

Visitors expressed their eagerness to return next year. Jackson Evans, who traveled from West Virginia with friends, stated, “I’m definitely planning on coming back. We had a big trip coming up here, but we’ve had a good time.” Likewise, Sottile expressed his desire to return as often as possible, saying, “I would like this to be a regular event every year as long as my body allows me to do it. Even if I don’t compete, I might just come here to enjoy the expo.”

The festival continues through Sunday at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, featuring events like the Arnold Classic bodybuilding competition, strongman contests, and many more sports. Organizers anticipate large crowds, especially on Sunday when Schwarzenegger himself is expected to appear.