On the west side of the nearly completed pedestrian bridge, a statue sits, wrapped in black plastic.
University of Utah administrators plan to unveil the copper statue on Dec. 5 during the dedication of the George S. Eccles 2002 Legacy Bridge.
The statue titled, “Go For the Gold” was sculpted by Jonathan Bronson, a Utah artist known for his depictions of western society. Robert Rice and Kenneth Melby donated the piece which depicts a skier tucking in front of a large chunk of red sandstone.
Because of the correlation between the statue and the Olympics, U administrators quickly approved placement of the piece on U ground.
“I feel very good about the addition to our campus. It is a fabulous monument,” said John Heush, director of campus design and construction.
Administrators hesitate to place large statues on campus, Heush said. The U especially discourages commemorative statues of prominent people at the U, he said.
But this statue is an exception to the rule.
The skier will join four other statues on campus?an American Indian on the patio of the Union building, a woman and child near the Christensen Center, three football players in front of the Field House and a full-figure copper replica of John “Rocky” Park at the front entrance of the Park Building.
After receiving approval by the facilities planning department and U administrators, U President Bernie Machen had the final say, Heush said.
Heush said Machen approved the statue because of its ties to the games.
Placed on the bridge that will be the official entrance for the Olympic Village, the skier will greet the world. The bridge it rests on is also named in part by the Olympics.
It is just one of the many legacies the U will have after the Olympics, Heush said.