Arnold Schwarzenegger, Maria Shriver The Inner City Games (ICG) was formed in response to the growing number of young people across the nation living in poverty and facing the negative influences surrounding them in the ghettos and barrios. The Inner City Games began in Los Angeles in 1991 when Arnold Schwarzenegger joined forces with Danny Hernandez, Director of East LA's Hollenbeck Youth Center. Creating the Inner City Games Foundation (ICGF) in 1995 and serving as its Chairman, Arnold Schwarzenegger expanded the program to other U.S. cities. In just four years, the Inner City Games has spread to 12 major U.S. cities and is serving over half a million young Americans. Recognizing that the significant majority of drug use, youth violence and teen pregnancies occur during the summer and after school, between 2 and 7pm, the Inner City Games is committed to providing a positive vehicle for our kids during these "critical hours". The Inner City Games offers a wide variety of sports clinics and competitions, from the traditional baseball, basketball, track, soccer and swimming, to less traditional sports like horseback riding, tennis, golf and martial arts. Involving young people in sports clinics and competitions teaches valuable life lessons, brings young people from different cultures together on an equal playing field and teaches our kids about teamwork, discipline, setting goals, working hard, respecting their bodies and winning and losing. Inner City Games Chairman, Arnold Schwarzenegger, calls sports the "hook " to get kids involved so that they can then be directed into education, art, cultural and other programs. Inner City Games also provides opportunities for young people to express themselves through art and dance, and to participate in exciting dramatic art programs. In addition, many Inner City Games cities offer scholarships for special Inner City Games participants desiring to pursue higher education. Partnerships with St. John ' s University in New York and National ICG Sponsor Cendant and their affiliate Knowledge Adventure, have enabled the Inner City Games to create summer camps for thousands of kids to enjoy a summer of sports as well as intensive computer training. NBC-6 Miami launched the Inner City Games Jr. Broadcasters program, now operating in four U.S. cities with local television and radio stations. Inner City youth interested in pursuing a career in broadcast news audition to be selected for this special program. The Jr. Broadcasters gain experience working in television and radio news with the news professionals serving as mentors. The ICG is powerful proof of what public-private partnership can accomplish. Organized as a non-profit organization in each city, the Inner City Games brings together local community leaders, creating an alliance between the private and public sector to achieve the mission of the Inner City Games. Mayors, Police Chiefs, Public Schools, Parks and Recreation Departments, Public Housing and other youth service providers are working with each Inner City Games program to create a truly meaningful opportunity for thousands of young people. Cendant Corporation, Official All Star Cafe and Planet Hollywood are generous National Sponsors, with dozens of other corporate leaders serving as local Inner City Games sponsors. For additional information about Inner City Games, contact: Tel. (310) 458-4411. Arnold Schwarzenegger ' s keen determination and pursuit of excellence have brought him a broad range of career successes in film, acting, directing, writing, athletic competition, business ventures and community service. Since he first emerged as a major star in James Cameron's "The Terminator", Schwarzenegger has become a driving force behind the success of such all-time blockbusters as "Terminator 2: Judgment Day", "Twins", "Kindergarten Cop", "Total Recall", "True Lies ", and 1996's summer action hit "Eraser", and "Batman and Robin". His motion picture career began in 1977 in the critically acclaimed "Pumping Iron", a feature length documentary about the Mr. Universe competition which revealed his engaging natural presence before the camera. Director Bob Rafelson immediately cast him in a key role opposite Sally Field and Jeff Bridges in " Stay Hungry". His performance garnered winning reviews and a Golden Globe Award as "Best Newcomer in Film". In 1978, Schwarzenegger put aside his mantle as Mr. Universe to pursue acting full-time. After becoming a naturalized citizen in 1983 Schwarzenegger went on to star in "Terminator"-a runaway hit at the box office which ranked him at the front of Hollywood stars. Over the next few years he became virtually synonymous with the phrase "action hero" largely due to the phenomenal success of a series of action adventure films: "Commando", "Raw Deal", "Predator", "The Running Man", and "Red Heat " . Behind the scenes, Schwarzenegger has been actively making movies since 1990 when he made his directorial debut with "Switch " followed by an episode of " Tales from the Crypt", and a TV remake of the holiday classic "Christmas in Connecticut". From his early childhood, Schwarzenegger was encouraged by his father to become involved in athletics. At the age of 15, he discovered a passion for weightlifting and by the young age of 20 he became Mr. Universe, what would be the first of 13 world titles. Since 1979, Schwarzenegger has served as the International Weight Training Coach of the Special Olympics. Currently, he is the Chairman of the California Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, and the author of numerous bestselling books on health and fitness. In 1991, he began serving as the Executive Commissioner of the Hollenbeck Inner City Games. In 1995, together with the Center's director, he established the Inner City Games Foundation which provides opportunities for children to become involved in a variety of sports, educational, cultural and community enrichment programs which help build self-confidence and self-esteem and encourage youths to say "no " to gangs, drugs, and violence. Schwarzenegger is also the recipient of numerous awards in recognition of his outstanding community service efforts. In 1998 he received the first ever Humanitarian award from the National Association of Theater Owners. He has also received twice the Simon Weisenthal Center's National Award for his support of the organization's Holocaust studies and human rights issues.