Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today presented the Key to the City to Olympic Gold Medalist Jimmy Shea at City Hall. The Mayor was joined by U.S. Congressman John Sweeney and Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Rebuilding Daniel Doctoroff. Jimmy Shea, a native of Lake Placid, New York, is a third generation Olympian and won the gold medal in the skeleton competition in the Salt Lake City Winter Games.

"The Olympics provide a global stage for the United States to showcase its most talented and hard-working athletes and instill pride in us all," said Mayor Bloomberg. "On behalf of all New Yorkers, I am honored to present Jimmy Shea with the Key to our City. Jimmy's inspirational performance was not only exhilarating, but also demonstrated that New York and the Olympics go hand in hand."

During his gold-winning run, Shea, a volunteer firefighter, wore a bracelet engraved with the name of a firefighter who died in the September 11th attacks. On Saturday, Shea will return home for a parade planned for him and other area Olympians.

Jimmy Shea's grandfather, Jack, was the first double gold medalist in the Winter Olympics, winning two speed skating events at the Lake Placid Games in 1932. Shea's father, Jim Sr., competed in three cross-country events at Innsbruck in 1964.