Jimmy Shea

On February 20, 2002 Jim Shea, Jr. (Jimmy) became the first American to win the gold medal in Men's Skeleton, and the Sheas became the first family ever with three generations of Winter Olympians, all in different sports.

Shea was bolstered by the spirit of the country and cheered on by thousands of spectators including his father, Jim Shea, Sr., a member of the 1964 U.S. Olympic team in Nordic Combined. But Jimmy garnered strength and determination from one person in particular, his grandfather Jack Shea, who was killed in an automobile accident just 17 days prior to the Salt Lake Games. In his helmet he carried a picture of Jack, a double gold medalist in Speedskating at the 1932 Olympic Games in Lake Placid, New York.

Shea is often referred to as the "Ambassador of Skeleton." He and his family lobbied heavily to reestablish Skeleton Racing after a 54-year hiatus from the Olympic Games. As an elite athlete he has had an enormous amount of success in both national and international competition. Shea has made every national team since 1995 and within four years won the world championship. In 1998, he became the first American to win a Skeleton World Cup. In 1999, he won the Skeleton World Championships in Altenberg, Germany. For the fourth time in his career, Shea, Jr. was crowned the U.S. National Skeleton Champion in 1999. He once again displayed his athletic ability at the 2000 Goodwill Games where he won the gold medal in Skeleton.

Jimmy's stories are both inspiring and exciting. His personality comes across on stage and in the time he takes to mingle with the audience. A proven performer, Shea does not take his most recent accomplishments lightly. "There is a tremendous amount of responsibility that comes with this Olympic Gold medal," said Shea. "It is an honor I share with all Olympians past and present, with my coaches, trainers, friends and family. I hope to continue, in my grandfather's name, a legacy of peaceful and friendly competition among all nations."