Volume 20 | June 2023

"Yes, You Can!" - Remembering Rick Hoyt

We recently learned of the sudden passing of marathon legend and global icon, Rick Hoyt. It was difficult to accept, as we had just seen Rick and his brother Russ speak to the students at the Marathon School in Hopkinton, MA a few days earlier. In true Hoyt fashion, their presentation was nothing short of inspirational.

The students were captivated, and the chorus of Team Hoyt’s motto, ‘Yes, You Can!’ became louder and louder each time Rick and Russ asked them to repeat it. It was a day that will not soon be forgotten by anyone who was in the room. (Watch a video of the day's events.)

As we reflect on Rick's remarkable life and legacy, we find ourselves grateful that we had the opportunity to work with John Hancock as they created the Team Hoyt bronze sculpture honoring the famed father-and-son marathoning team. 

To recognize their achievements and contributions to marathoning and inclusion, John Hancock commissioned artist Mike Tabor to create the life-sized statue, titled ‘Yes, You Can!’. The 26.2 Foundation was pleased to secure the location of the statue, which sits yards from the Boston Marathon starting line. The sculpture was donated to the town of Hopkinton in 2013 and will forever serve as a symbol of determination, strength, courage, inclusion and love. 

Thank you, Rick, for being an inspiration to all of us. You will forever be remembered, honored, and celebrated.

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The Federation of Hellenic-American Societies of New England has awarded 26.2 Foundation founder and president Tim Kilduff its distinguished Federation Freedom Award for “…working tirelessly to honor and promote the Hellenic ideals and culture that Greeks value so dearly,” as Alpha Omega Council President Paul Tsitsopoulos said in making the presentation.

Tsitsopoulos cited Kilduff’s 40-plus years of work in supporting Hellenism, including the establishment of the Boston Marathon Wreath Ceremony and Education Committee, and support for ‘The Examined Life’, a program that identifies and sponsors outstanding Massachusetts educators’ scholarship and development in the history, culture and accomplishments of Greece. Kilduff’s engagement extends well beyond those examples, from his work to install the Stylianos Kyriakides statue at Mile 1 of the Boston Marathon route, to building a sister-city relationship between Hopkinton, MA and Marathon, Greece.

Tsitsopoulos, quoting Alexander the Great, said “The origin of citizens, or the race into which they were born, is of no concern to me. I have only one criterion by which to distinguish them: Virtue.”  Tsitsopoulos then added, “Through his honorable actions, Tim Kilduff has consistently demonstrated that he is a ‘good foreigner,’ a true Philhellene and, in the words of Alexander, ‘a Greek.’”

Photo: Tim Kilduff, left, receives the Federation Freedom Award, a statuette of Nike, Winged Victory of Samothrace, from the Hellenic-American Societies of New England and the Alpha Omega Council. (L. Holden)