Last Meter
Eino
1998
Bronze, granite base
This sculpture was created to commemorate the remarkable finish of the 5000 meter race during the 1976 Olympic Games held in Montreal. The piece portrays the first four runners that crossed the finish line. Lasse Viren of Finland won the race. The sculpture is cast in bronze and is located south of the 14th entrance into Piedmont Park along the Olympic marathon route. The first edition of this sculpture was commissioned by Polar Electro, Oy, Kempele, Finland for the 1996 Olympics. It was on loan to the City of Atlanta for the duration of the games which were held in that city in 1996. The sculpture was displayed in Piedmont Park. After the games, the first edition was returned to Finland. This second edition was funded by the Power Bar Corporation, Asics Tiger Corporation and the Finnish American Chamber of Commerce of Atlanta.
Eino immigrated to the United States from Finland in 1962 at the age of 22. Having been interested in drawing and carving from a young age, Eino realized after arriving in the US that his life purpose was to sculpt. He draws inspiration for his marble sculptures from nature. Eino has also completed numerous bronze figures and busts for both public and private collections.
Piedmont Park
Piedmont Ave. NE and 14th St. NE
Atlanta, GA 30309