The hometown of Canadian icon Terry Fox witnessed a powerful tribute on Saturday afternoon as two new sculptures celebrating the legendary athlete and humanitarian were unveiled in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia. The artwork, titled "Gateway of Giants," was created by Spanish sculptor Casto Solano to commemorate the 45th anniversary of Fox's Marathon of Hope, drawing hundreds of community members, officials, and Fox's friends and family to the plaza in front of the city's community center.
Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West described the energy in the crowd as palpable, noting the exceptional turnout. "We had a very good turnout, hundreds and hundreds of people," West said, emphasizing the community's deep pride in their connection to Fox. "There's nothing our community is more proud of than being the hometown of Terry Fox."
The dual sculpture installation takes a unique approach to honoring Fox's memory, deliberately departing from the iconic image most people associate with the Canadian hero. Rather than depicting Fox mid-marathon in 1980 with his prosthetic leg and Marathon of Hope t-shirt, "Gateway of Giants" shows two different phases of his life: one sculpture captures him in a runner's pose, while the other portrays him as a young Port Coquitlam boy holding a schoolbook in one hand and a baseball in the other.
According to Mayor West, the decision to step away from the more famous portrayal was intentional, designed to create something unique and memorable while highlighting Fox's importance as a local community member before he became a national icon. "We wanted to do something a bit different. Terry loved running, and he was very competitive in running in our community growing up," the mayor explained.
Sculptor Solano revealed that his artistic vision centered on the concept of time and connection. He knew from the beginning that the finished product needed to traverse time, linking Terry's youth in Port Coquitlam with his later life and extraordinary achievements. "So the concept of dual sculptures, bridging this time in physical space, crystallized very quickly," Solano said.
The strategic placement of the two sculptures along the walkway leading to the community center entrance serves a dual purpose, acting as welcoming figures to visitors approaching the "Terry Fox: Inspiring Local Champions" exhibit that opened in April. This comprehensive exhibit encourages visitors to learn about Fox's early life in Port Coquitlam alongside his momentous achievements running across the country and raising millions of dollars for cancer research.
The exhibit features an impressive collection of Fox memorabilia, including his spare prosthetic leg, an Adidas running shoe, a Marathon of Hope t-shirt, and various items from his school years. These artifacts provide visitors with an intimate look at both the personal and public sides of the man who became a symbol of perseverance and hope for millions of people worldwide.
Mayor West emphasized the special responsibility that comes with being embedded in the community where Fox once lived. He believes it's crucial to ensure the athlete's story continues to be told to future generations, encouraging community members to bring their children to view the artworks and engage in meaningful conversations about Fox's legacy.
Reflecting on his own experiences sharing Fox's story with his children, West described these discussions as some of the most meaningful and profound conversations they've had together. "We talked about how we all have the ability to go and make a difference in the world, and I think that's the message of Terry Fox," he said. "If you are committed, if you persevere, overcome obstacles, you can do incredible things, and we all have that within us."
The sculpture unveiling coincides perfectly with the annual Terry Fox Hometown Run fundraiser, which will take place on Sunday morning at 10 a.m. at the Hyde Creek Recreation Centre on Laurier Avenue, with registration beginning at 8 a.m. This local event is part of a nationwide network of Terry Fox runs that continue to honor his memory and raise funds for cancer research, demonstrating how his legacy continues to inspire communities across Canada and beyond.
