Rest In Peace Franco Colombu

[billfish]

Franco, the strongest of the strong is gone



www.tmz.com/2019/08/30/franco-columbu-dead-dies-78-mr-olympia-arnold-schwarzenegger/?fbclid=IwAR0HgQdU7LSUa2ANCc8xXVSWIfc_vOjJvHvFUDnmBni1e7hohTY2Lrh5Oqw

[Michael]

Yes indeed, very strong. Rest In Peace.

[billfish]

[stormshadow]

Thanks for posting this Billfish. Very sad. Super strong guy.

[stormshadow]

Conflicting reports saying he drowned while swimming or had heart attack while swimming. I read over thirty years ago that he was a very powerful swimmer having grown up in the island nation of Sardinia. Some other interesting things in article

heavy.com/sports/2019/08/franco-columbo-dead/

[trog]

Very sad - one of the greats.

[billfish]

[Deuce Gunner]

Arnold's Instagram post about his friend 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

[justregularguy]

[Michael]

Do they know for sure it was his heart? Just curious.

[Deuce Gunner]

Sept 1, 2019 21:36:21 GMT Michael said:

Do they know for sure it was his heart? Just curious.

We may never know for certain as it happened in Sardinia. The stereotypical portrayal of heart attacks is someone grabbing their chest suddenly and keeling over, and that can happen. In most cardiac episodes though people feel crappy for quite a few hours before the real event. If that was the case here, I kind of doubt Franco would have felt up to going swimming.

Here is Ric Draisin's video he put up on YouTube very shortly after the news of Franco's death:

[Michael]

I agree Deuce. That's why I asked, Thanks for the video. I honestly don't think there was anything wrong with his heart but as You said We may never know for certain.

[moxohol]

Maybe it was his calcium score? Everyone's heart valve occludes with calcium to varying degrees over time. It's a precursor to a heart attack that all will suffer eventually like Parkinson's Disease or diabetes if u live for a long stretch.

[Michael]

By the way, Not trying to sound like Blue Speedos, but some of my early exercise years I did Franco's upper/lower body split routines. Low and behold, years later I find out that's what Bruce does, a Powerhouse. I had his books before and they were full of good information. His nutrition advice was different than most bodybuilder's. If I remember right he would either run 1 to 3 miles or jump rope after his workouts. To help the guys that need a basic template instead of the next big thing I have read this before: www.amazon.com/Franco-Columbus-Complete-Book-Bodybuilding-ebook/dp/B074NQ29CT/ref=sr_1_3?crid=VIABS4Q3JV30&keywords=franco+columbo+books&qid=1567724640&s=gateway&sprefix=franco+co%2Caps%2C136&sr=8-3