Statue Memorializes Family of Olympians

Statue Memorializes Family of Olympians


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Sammy Linebaugh Reporting Park City has a new monument to the 2002 Olympics -- a bronze statue commemorating one of the most memorable athletic accomplishments of the games.

For many, one of the most poignant memories of the 2002 Olympics, was Jimmy Shea Jr.'s remarkable gold medal victory that came just weeks after his grandfather was killed by a drunk driver. Jack Shea was a double Olympic Gold medalist in Speedskating who dreamed of seeing his grandson compete in the games. For the Shea's it was a family tradition --- Jimmy's Dad, Jim Sr. Was also an Olympian. Now their story is memorialized in a statue of the threesome commissioned by Zions Bank for its new Park City Branch.

Scott Anderson, Pres. CEO of Zions Bank: "And I think one of the highlights of that whole period for me was when Jimmy won, and he took off his helmet and pulled out the picture of his grandfather. And what that symbolizes is that we are all where we are because we have other people behind us, pushing us, whether we are athletes or individuals or corporations."

Jimmy Shea Jr. Olympic Gold Medalist: "I'm very honored. To have it at Zions Bank its a neat thing and I'm humbled by it."

Jim Shea Sr., Jimmy's Father: “It’s so special and the facial expression, and to me the though of being in bronze with my dad and Jimmy, it’s emotional.”

Judy Shea. Jimmy's Mother: "Grandpa would have liked it, he would have been honored.”

The artists of Young Fine Art Studio, Richard Young and Lena Toritch, sculpted the monument first in clay, working mostly from photographs and video to capture the resemblance and personality of the men.

Richard Young, Sculptor: "It’s always fun to do a family where they all resemble each other and carry the family traits through generations."

Lena Toritch, Sculptor: “First of all Olympic Spirit, but also family ties, the strength of family, the love and support they have for each other, the connection.”

And now this monument will become part of the fabric of Park City, as the Shea family story has become part of the Olympic legacy of the 2002 games. The statue, called "Three Generations", is on display at the new Zions Bank at Kimball Junction, across the street from the Olympic Park where Jimmy won his gold medal.

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