“Challenge and Triumph” statue unveiled today to honour Tom Longboat

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One of the most accomplished Six Nations athletes in history will be honoured throughout the Pan Am and Para Pan games.

Tom Longboat won the Boston marathon with a record setting performance in 1907, and that accomplishment has inspired Six Nations athletes for more than 100 years to reach for their goals.

Tom Longboat was born on the Six Nations reserve near Brantford. He was only 19 years old when he won the Boston marathon and he is considered one of Canada’s greatest distance runners.

This afternoon a statue titled “Challenge and Triumph” was unveiled on Toronto’s Waterfront, commemorating Longboat’s achievements.

Aboriginal artist David General worked on the project for 7 months.

“The legacy goes back over a 100 years. It needs to be polished so we realize what he achieved over a hundred years ago.”

“They can’t help but be inspired by whether they’re playing a team sport or individual sport. Just the fact that we had someone from our territory achieve world recognition in his sport has to be inspiring to our youth.”

Members of Tom Longboat’s family were in attendance, including his great great great niece Cindy Martin.

“I’m proud to be related to Longfoot, my family is here supporting the event and we’re happy to be here encouraging others to be healthy and be what they can be.”

The monument will remain in Toronto until after the Para Pan games. After that it will be moved to the Six Nations Reserve.