文章基本信息

标题：Lee Priest finds himself - Hard Times
作者：Jim Schmaltz
期刊名称：Flex
印刷版ISSN：8750-8915
出版年度：2002
卷号：April 2002
出版社：A M I - Weider Publications

Lee Priest finds himself - Hard Times

Jim Schmaltz

"I've been in the caves with OSAMA BIN LADEN,' revealed LEE PRIEST. "That's why you haven't seen me."

Not exactly. Prone to a bit of overstatement (Priest is a bodybuilder after all), the Australian-born superstar kept a low profile prior to the February and March contests, but not Tora Bora low. Priest hasn't competed since last year's Ironman Pro Invitational after being diagnosed with a heart infection. Along with taking time off from the IFBB circuit, he moved with his wife, CATHY (nee LEFRANCOIS), to Lancaster, California, a fast-growing desert community about an hour and a half outside of Los Angeles.

"I feel great," he told Hard Times shortly before the season was set to kick off with the Ironman. "My heart's normal, or whatever's normal for a bodybuilder. My comeback is on schedule. My main goal is to qualify for the Mr. Olympia. I'm going to do the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic for sure, and either the Ironman or San Francisco show. Cathy's going to do the Ms. International."

Priest is looking to hit the stage at around 220 pounds, a first for him. "I'm hoping to come in the way I looked at the 2000 NOC [he finished a controversial fifth] but a bit bigger. I was 212 at that show."

Although Lancaster is a bit remote from the madding crowd at Venice Beach, the Priests couldn't be more content.

"Some people get shocked to see me out here, but it's a good place for a pro bodybuilder," reported Lee. "There's a very good Powerhouse Gym here. But more important, there's a good restaurant row with an Outback Steakhouse, Popeye's Chicken, Krispy Kreme donuts and all the other restaurants I need."

Asked if he was depressed over the death of Wendy's founder DAVE THOMAS, Priest replied: "I'm still mourning the COLONEL [from Kentucky Fried Chicken]."

Happily, Lancaster isn't too far out of the way for Lee's pal PAUL DILLETT to come calling. "Paul Dillett was here last week. He wants to do the NOC," Lee said. "He's coming next weekend to stay. I'm a little nervous. Last time he came to visit me for a weekend, he stayed for eight months."