A statue commemorating one of Sussex’s top Olympians is to be recast and replaced.
It is four years since the bronze statue of Brighton-born middle distance runner Steve Ovett was cut down from its place in Brighton’s Preston Park.
Now a group of city businessmen have come together and paid a £50,000 commission to recreate the figure ahead of the Olympic Games in August.
With the backing of Brighton and Hove City Council, it is hoped Mr Ovett, who grew up in the city and won the 800 metres gold medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympics against arch rival Sebastian Coe, would unveil the tribute at a location yet to be determined.
Council leader Bill Randall said: “We welcome the offer and we’re still talking. But it’s very good news for the city and it would be a wonderful way to mark the Olympics.”
It comes four years after the original 30st figure was hacked down. Police believed it was stolen to melt down for scrap.
The original artist, Pete Webster, who used to be a teacher at Cardinal Newman School in Hove and still lives in the city, has been tasked with recreating the statue.
He told The Argus all he has left of the original, which he spent four years creating, is a shin, a leg and four other unrecognisable pieces.
Mr Webster, who also created the Max Miller statue opposite Brighton’s Theatre Royal, said: “I’m really looking forward to it.
"Over the years there has been constant talk about bringing it back but with money the way it is at the moment it has always been difficult."
Mr Webster said the new 6ft statue would be on a plinth to give the image of Steve running but also to prevent people stealing it.
He hopes the work will be completed by August.
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