Randall's Island

The Discus Thrower statue was created by Greek sculptor Kostas Dimitriadis. Dimitriadis, who studied and worked in Paris and London, was inspired by models from classical antiquity, as well as by more modern sculptors such as Auguste Rodin.

This sculpture, commissioned by Ery Kehaya, was awarded a prize at the 1924 Olympic Games held in France. The bronze sculpture was later installed in Central Park behind the Metropolitan Museum in 1926. A twin, or replica, may be seen outside the Zappeion gardens facing the Panathinic Stadium in Athens, Greece.

In 1936, when Municipal Stadium (also known as Triborough and later renamed Downing Stadium) was erected on Randalls Island, the sculpture was placed prominently in front. The stadium opened in July 1936, and was host to the American Olympic Track and Field Trials held that year.

Over the years the sculpture was assaulted by graffiti, and vandals stole the discus and broke the statue’s arm. In 1970 the statue was removed to storage for safekeeping. In 1999 the sculpture was restored, and missing components, such as the arm, were replicated under a project sponsored by the Randalls Island Sports Foundation, and funded by Mayor-elect Michael Bloomberg.

The restored monument was placed at a new, prominent landscaped triangle at the entrance of Randalls Island. A rededication ceremony held on July 21, 1999 included four-time Olympic gold medalist discus thrower Al Oerter and nine-time New York City Marathon victor Grete Waitz, and the sculpture has become a symbol of the renaissance of this municipal park.