The city of Key West is considering placing a monument of world record swim champ Diana Nyad at Smathers Beach. That’s where Nyad landed on Labor Day after crossing 111 miles of ocean from Cuba without a shark cage. It was her fifth and final attempt to accomplish what no one had done before.
While no one at city hall has mentioned going as far as commissioning a statue, City Manager Bob Vitas has “Diana Nyad monument at Smathers Beach” listed as part of his report to the City Commission for its 6 p.m. Wednesday, meeting at Old City Hall, 510 Greene St.
Details weren’t available Friday from Vitas because he will deliver his report first to commissioners, said city spokeswoman Alyson Crean.
But the recommendation from the Art in Public Places board is for the city to announce a $5,000 international competition for a Nyad tribute.
“What shape, I have no idea,” said Michael Shields, the board’s chairman. “That’s up to the artist. It’s for people coming to Key West. I mean, this is Lindbergh in Paris.”
Image courtesy of Andrew Dallos, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
