Born Fast' - Sculpture donated to IOC as mark of solidarity and gratitude

11/25/2009

November 19 2009, the Olympic Museum - Lausanne hosted the donation ceremony of the beautifully sculpted piece ‘Born Fast’.

It is donated to the International Olympic Committee by Yong-Sung Park, former IOC member and current President of the Korean Olympic Committee, as a mark of solidarity and gratitude to the Olympic Movement and is erected in the park of the Olympic Museum.

Born Fast depicts the skeleton structure of a runner's foot in a sprint start position, symbolizing humanity's unceasing will and challenges to overcome limits. At 2.62 meters tall, and made of bronze painted white, this impressive sculpture was created by South Korean artist Hyung-Koo Lee. Artist Hyung-Koo Lee is renowned for his series of works, entitled Animatus, in the Pop Art style that was presented in 2008 to the Basle Natural History Museum and, at the 52nd Venice Biennale in 2007, where the Korean pavilion was devoted entirely to his works.

The statue was unveiled in Olympic Park in the presence of IOC President Jacques Rogge, IOC member and Olympic judo champion Anton Geesink; Olympic Museum Director Francis Gabet; and a large Korean delegation.

In his speech, and using his experience in orthopedic surgery, Jacques Rogge explained that recent research had proved that the ability to run fast was greatly dependent on the morphology of the foot. He also noted that the Born Fast sculpture was a perfect illustration of the wish dear to the IOC’s: to link sport, art and culture.

Yong-Sung Park has requested the sculpting of two more identical pieces as the original donated to the Olympic Museum. The other two will later be displayed in the Seoul Olympic Museum and in the outdoor park at the Chuncheon Ladena Resort in Korea.

For more information on this press release please contact: www.koc.org/

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