Actor, boxer challenge youngsters to make the right choices

Movie heavyweight Arnold Schwarzenegger and boxing welterweight Oscar De La Hoya have challenged thousands of Las Vegas youngsters to make the right choices in life and dare to dream.

"The most important thing in life is the choices we make," Schwarzenegger said Saturday afternoon at the closing ceremonies of the third annual Las Vegas Inner-City Games. "Those who make bad choices will be losers. Those who make good choices will be winners."

The actor, who is founder and chairman of the Inner-City Games Foundation, told some 4,000 young participants in the Las Vegas program, "You can do anything you want if you put your mind to it."

The games were founded in Los Angeles in 1991 and have spread to 11 cities, including Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New York, Orlando, San Antonio, San Jose and San Diego.

More than 10,000 Las Vegas young people, ages, 7 to 17, participated in a wide range of activities the past year, guided by some 2,500 volunteers.

De La Hoya told the youngsters he started boxing at age 5 and always dreamed of winning an Olympic gold medal - a goal he realized in 1992. He said dedication and discipline were crucial in reaching any goal.

"Whatever you choose to do, go out there and give it your all," the World Boxing Council champion told the young people.

Schwarzenegger, best known for his movie "Terminator" roles and the menacing vow "I'll be back," reminded youngsters at Saturday's event that he had made that promise at closing ceremonies a year ago, and was returning as promised.

He encouraged the youngsters to stay in school, say "no" to gangs, drugs and violence, and "hang onto your dreams."

He praised the work of local volunteers, more than 50 corporate sponsors, Executive Director Mike Edwards and co-chairwomen Elaine Wynn and Yvonne Atkinson Gates.

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