In een emotioneel bericht op Instagram neemt Arnold Schwarzenegger afscheid van zijn goede vriend en bodybuilder Franco Columbu. De Italiaan, die ook acteerde, overleed op 78-jarige leeftijd.

Columbu overleed vrijdag in het ziekenhuis, waar hij was opgenomen nadat hij ziek was geworden na een zwemtocht in zee. Schwarzenegger en Columbu waren al decennia lang bevriend met elkaar. "Ik zal het plezier dat jij in mijn leven hebt gebracht altijd blijven herinneren", schrijft Schwarzenegger ter nagedachtenis aan zijn maat.

Columbu begon zijn carrière als bokser. Later maakte hij de overstap naar gewichtheffen en bodybuilding. Dat deed hij op Olympisch niveau. De Italiaan was als acteur onder meer te zien in Conan the Barbarian (1982) en The Terminator (1984).

Dit bericht bekijken op Instagram

Franco, You've heard me say that I don't like when people call me a self-made man. You've even heard me say that you're 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. When I finally got to America, I was alone. I'd 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't the same without my best friend. I could thrive without money, without my parents, but I couldn't 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. I will always miss you. But I'll 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. Love always, Arnold

Een bericht gedeeld door Arnold Schwarzenegger (@schwarzenegger) op 30 Aug 2019 om 10:35 (PDT)