'I'll be back!' Arnold Schwarzenegger makes good on his promise to return to Melbourne in 2017 as he vows to 'terminate' child obesity
Arnold Schwarzenegger will return to Australia in 2017 with one mission: to 'terminate' child obesity.
The Hollywood star will be back for the fourth year running when the Arnold Classic takes place in Melbourne in March next year.
A multi-sports festival take place over the course of three days at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Arnold told the Herald Sun he hopes his project can help Australia get a handle on child obesity.
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'I'll be back': Arnold Schwarzenegger will return to Australia in 2017 as he continues to try and 'terminate' child obesity with fitness expo the Arnold Classic
He said: 'I want to encourage kids to participate in activities that might lead to them taking up sport and terminate obesity in children.'
The Terminator star, who sprung to prominence during a professional body-building career, wants to discourage Aussies from being a 'couch potato' because it will 'change your life'.
Founded alongside his business partner, Melbourne gym owner Tony Doherty, the event showcases fencing, futsal, tennis and martial arts among other sports.
Showcase: Founded alongside his business partner, Melbourne gym owner Tony Doherty, the event showcases fencing, futsal, tennis and martial arts
On a mission: The Terminator star, who sprung to prominence during a professional body-building career, wants to discourage Aussies from being a 'couch potato'
The addition of a Kids Expo in 2017 will see children under the age of 16 given free entry, all with the aim of getting more kids active.
Arnold said: 'My fitness crusade is to encourage people of all ages to get off the couch and start exercising.
'It is so important for our youth to experience the benefits of regular exercise and playing sport.'
Any sport will be able to set-up at the event as long as they meet one key criteria: they must have a 'come and try' area for kids.
Youth team: Any sport will be able to set-up at the event as long as they meet one key criteria: they must have a 'come and try' area for kids
Time for action: The 69-year-old said he is on a 'crusade' to get young people exercising when he returns in March
The former Governor of California will be participating in the activities with the kids.
Earlier this year, Sarah Garnett, an Associate Professor from Sydney's Westmead Children's Hospital, told ABC that more than 30,000 Australian children could be suffering from severe obesity.
She said: 'The numbers on how many Australian children have severe obesity have never been crunched until now and our findings suggest we have underestimated the issue.'
Her findings were based on a national study of statistics from 1985 to 2012 sampling children aged seven to 15.
The event will take place from 17-19 March.
Getting active: The former Governor of California will be participating in the activities with the kids
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