Jim Shea

Jim Shea's Key Accomplishments Include . . .
As the world watched, a new American hero emerged during the Salt Lake 2002 Winter Olympics. Racing down the ice track at over 80 miles per hour, Jim Shea, Jr. slid into the record books as he captured the first Gold Medal ever won by an American in the Olympic sport of Men’s Skeleton.  Jimmy Shea captured the hearts of the viewers however, as he pulled out the funeral card of his Grandfather, Olympic Gold Medalist, Jack Shea, and held the picture up in tribute to the man who had died just 17 days before.

Although winning the gold at the Winter Olympics was the highlight of his athletic career, breaking records and setting the bar was nothing new to Jim Shea. Breaking over 15 world records in Skeleton, Jimmy Shea has the distinction of being the first American to win a World Cup, the first and only American to win a World Championship and the first American to win the Goodwill Games. Jim Shea’s dedication to his sport and his outstanding sportsmanship was acknowledged as he was voted by the US Olympic Athletes to read the Olympic Oath at the opening ceremonies and carry the torch in Salt Lake.

It was not only his award-winning race that earned the admiration of the public, but Jim Shea’s determination and hard work to overcome the number of obstacles that he faced in his personal and competitive life.

As a youth growing up in Lake Placid, NY, Jim Shea’s involvement in sports helped him overcome the doubt he experienced due to his battle with Dyslexia. Having a severe learning disorder taught Jim the importance of perseverance and hard work. A lesson emphasized by his father and grandfather, both Winter Olympic Athletes.

Jimmy Shea’s life is an inspirational story recognized by the various corporations that have sponsored his career, and hired him to deliver keynote speeches at a variety of invents such as quarterly meetings and corporate retreats. These corporations include: Sprint, General Motors - Chevrolet Division, Kellogg's, McDonald’s, Fidelity Investments, Budweiser, Xerox, Kimberly-Clark, and Zion's Bank.

Jim Shea has also inspired students and the general public through motivational speeches delivered at graduation ceremonies and charity events. In July, 2005, Jim Shea starred in a film for the Boy scouts of America, alongside other notable Americans such as President Bush and Senator Orrin Hatch.

More About Jimmy Shea . . .
Jim Shea’s athletic career began as a driver for 2-man and 4-man bobsleds. In 1995 he moved on to the extreme sport of Skeleton and was recognized as the rookie of the year. After winning the World Championship in Altenberg, Germany, Jimmy Shea returned home and presented the trophy to Mitt Romney, then President of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee. Shea taught him about the dangerous sport of Skeleton and convinced Romney to reintroduce Skeleton as an Olympic sport - an event that had not taken place since the 1948 Winter Olympics.

Considered the world's first sliding sport, skeleton originated in the Swiss town of St. Moritz in the late 1800’s. The first competition was held in 1884. It wasn't until 1887 that riders began competing in the prone position used today. The sport took its name in 1892, when a new sled made mostly of metal was introduced. People thought it looked like a skeleton. This competition has been part of the official program since the 1st Olympic Winter Games in Chamonix Mont Blanc in 1924.

"Too often, athletes fail to live up to our expectations. Too often, we idolize them, view them as role models, put them up on a pedestal - - and they inevitably fall off. Too often, they disappoint us. Right now the world certainly could use more athletes like Jim Shea, Jr., because he won't disappoint you. With Shea, what you see is what you get - - a genuine, down-to-earth guy who has a tremendous perspective on competition, on the responsibility that comes with being a high-profile American athlete, and on life in general. It is a perspective that is refreshing and, unfortunately nowadays, rather rare."

- Randy Hollis, Standard Examiner

"Our company was looking for a great athlete who would deliver a great message to a sales group. Jim Shea had a wonderful message and has overcome tremendous adversity. The reviews from those who attended gave him an exceptional rating. BigSpeak was terrific to work with and spent a great deal of time coordinating schedules to make sure that we could get Mr. Shea. I would highly recommend both BigSpeak and Mr. Shea to anyone looking for a top notch experience."

— Max McQuiston, Fidelity Investments