Sir Roger Bannister on Extended Visit to Boulder

By: Todd Straka

Tucked in the backdrop of Boulder's majestic Flatirons, the larger than life-size bronze sculpture of Sir Roger Bannister evokes just as much awe. In 1954, 25-year-old Bannister was the first man to run a mile in less than four minutes. Found in the corner of the Daily Camera parking lot it is closest to ideal location for runners and passers by to pay tribute.

The Finnish Sculptor who goes by his first name only, Eino, is allowing Boulder to be the host of his newest creation "Paradigm" that depicts Sir Roger Bannisters inspiring moment of breaking the 4 minute barrier for the mile.

"When I was a kid, they used to think you can't break the 4 minute mile. When it was broken that became a paradigm. So that's what I called the statue, 'Paradigm'. I wanted to express the feeling of that moment and Roger Bannister was the guy who did it." said Eino in his still broken Finnish accent.

"When I was 13 I was working in a movie theater and they used to show this moment a 100 times. I remember that so clearly, i didnt remember the guy's name but the 'moment' was so clear" he added.

As part of the 50th anniversary celebration of this milestone, Eino was personally invited by Sir Roger Bannister his home in England to meet with him.

"Roger Bannister is very happy and humble to be able to do it for the first time. Its like a 2 hour marathon now. People say you would die if you run a 2 hour marathon. Same thing they used to say back then about the mile."

"I wanted a place to show it before it went to the Crystal Palace in London and I figured, what better place than Boulder. Boulder is the center of the running world right now. There is no better place."

En route from Nevada to Great Britain, "Paradigm" will sit at the west end of the Pearl Street Mall for three to six months before it it shipped over to London.

Eino is no stranger to the sport of running. He has been running for over 60 years. "I don't feel together when I don't run. I have been running since the age of five, and I will be running the day I die. Man always makes himself do what he wants to do." he was quoted in Runners World Magazine back in 1973.

Eino has also been commissioned for other pieces relating to the spirit of sport and competition. "Olympic Spirit" 2004 in this sculpture, Eino captured the true spirit of competition; the 10,000 meter race of the 1972 Olympics in Munich in which Lasse Viren fell after colliding with another runner, got back to his feet and proceeded to come back to win the Gold Medal and the World Record.

More information on Eino can be found on his website www.Eino.org