OTTAWA – Last night, Michael Harris, eldest son of Dick Harris, MP for Cariboo-Prince George, and other Special Olympic athletes met the California Governor, Arnold Schwarznegger in Ottawa. At an intimate reception, he spoke to about 30 smiling faces, shook hands and had their picture taken with the “Governator.”

Governor Schwarznegger told the young people about his introduction to Special Olympics and his current role. He was first involved as a champion bodybuilder working with an American university researching how body building would affect people with intellectual challenges. The results showed bodybuilding would have positive affects helping to build self esteem, a feeling of success, better physical health, and a sense of discipline and community.

Arnold Schwarznegger met his future wife, Maria Schrieber, whose mother, Eunice, began the Special Olympics organization many years ago. Then Schwarznegger became the spokesman for Special Olympics. As such, he visits athletes wherever he happens to be and says it is one of the most rewarding aspects of his life.

Among parents and coaches of the Special Olympians, was the Minister of Sport, the Honourable Helena Guergis. Governor Schwarznegger’s message to all was on the importance of sport as an aid to personal self esteem and physical and mental fitness.

Dick Harris will be holding the Special Olympics 14th Annual Charity Golf Classic on June 15, 2007 in Prince George. “Michael and the other Special Olympians were absolutely thrilled to have had this unique opportunity to meet their ‘hero’”, said Harris.