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World Jewish News
Two-Time Olympic Champion Leonid Zhabotinsky: "Waiting for Schwarzenegger’s visit.
28.02.2009
"The Ukrainian colossus", as journalists used to call him, Zhabotinsky has set up over 20 world records during his career, and lifted over half a million tons. The total weight of his awards is 26 kilos. Recently Leonid has added the title of European champion in motorsports to his numerous achievements. The formerly famous athlete told the Sport about his attitude to dope issue, friendship with Arnold Schwarzenegger, and offense to the Japanese Emperor.
"Leonid Ivanovitch, what changes has weightlifting experienced recently?"
"The press has been cancelled. Weightlifters are conceding to serious drawbacks in technique – leaning back during exercises in order to show better results. So the International Olympic Committee took drastic measures – they left only tempo exercises, a spurt and a shove."
"Specialists say: weightlifters actively take dope. So interest towards this sport is declining year after year, fans do not want to be deceived…"
"Taking into account that sports are developing, the athletes have begun to study chemistry themselves. Dope is used in all sports nowadays. When I visited the World Anti-Doping Agency congress, I told the Committee President: in order to solve the dope problem, you should not just deprive of titles and medals, but disqualify for a lifetime. So that the others see and not do the same thing."
"They say you were Arnold Schwarzenegger’s idol once."
"In 1965 I was in Austria and gave an autograph to a thickset young fellow. I wrote on the card in Russian: 'Wish you Arnie to become a strong and world-famous person.' And in almost forty years I received an invitation to the opening of a weightlifting tournament. Schwarzenegger told me then: 'At the Mexico Olympiad I supported my countrymen, but worried a lot about you.' I also wanted to arrange a tournament of heavyweights and intended to invite Arnold. He said he would definitely come. But soon afterwards he got into an accident on motorcycle with his son. And also, he is a governor, has a lot of responsibilities. That is why he cannot find time. But we keep in touch. The promise still holds good."
"You are said to have joined the police combined team in motorsports…"
"Yes, since the year 2000 I have been driving in European championship for policemen."
"And why did you offend the Japanese Emperor?"
"At the closing ceremony of Tokyo Olympiad, when I won the gold medal, I was carrying a flag in one hand. When passing the Emperor's box, the protocol prescribed to bend the flag as a sign of distinction and respect. And I did not, because the wind rose, and I would have had to hold the pole with both hands. Unpresentable, I was carrying it in one hand, and not in both. And why should I pay duty to a Japanese emperor? So I decided to carry the flag proudly and gracefully. The next day I was assembled by the Party bureau. I though they would award me with the Honoured Master title and a cake. And there was also gossip about the Order of Lenin. But they began to lecture me. I told the truth then. There was a lot of noise around this, which resulted in a reprimand. But I never received the Order of Lenin. I was awarded with the Order of the Red Banner. However, I do not regret. I am still proud for not bending the flag, not disgracing Motherland."
"You are a colonel of the USSR Armed Forces, used to be a military consultant in Madagascar. Where did they make such a big-sized uniform for you?"
"I used to be rather slim when a child. I began gaining weight later. There were no serious problems with the uniform. The most difficult part was to sew the papakha when I was granted the colonel title. My head size is 72, and I wanted a beautiful papakha. This would be the first time in my life. So my acquaintance brought me to an old Jew. He was 95 years old, I guess. He told me: 'It is very difficult to sew a papakha for such a big head. But for you, Zhabotinsky, I will do this.' And he made me two beautiful astrakhan papakhas of his materials. One a little bit lighter, the other – darker. And for some reason he did not take the money. I put 100 roubles on the table, a lot of money at those times. But he said: 'Take it away, otherwise I will not sew any more'. The interesting fact is that those papakhas were not for a colonel, but for generals. They are 7 sm. higher."
"So why are there so many Jewish names among Ukrainian weightlifters? Slutsky, Shepeliansky, Novak, Eisenstadt, Ryzhik… I counted over 40 last names…"
"Really? All of them from Ukraine? There are a lot of Jewish names among Russian athletes as well. Many people tell me: 'You are a real Jew' (laughing). By the way, Samson is also a Jewish 'hercules'."
"In Israel there is even a street named after Zhabotinsky…" "And not just one (laughing)!"
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![Two-Time Olympic Champion Leonid Zhabotinsky: "Waiting for Schwarzenegger’s visit.](http://img.jewseurasia.org/data/image/cats/15/logo.png "Two-Time Olympic Champion Leonid Zhabotinsky: "Waiting for Schwarzenegger’s visit."){kind=logo}
