An Olympic hero is to be given the Freedom of Brighton and Hove just days before the London games begin.

Steve Ovett’s gold medal victory in the 800 metres at the 1980 Moscow Games has been rated one of the most iconic moments in the history of the sporting event.

With London 2012 just around the corner, the Brighton-born athlete will receive the top honour from representatives of his home city later this month.

A special meeting to bestow the athlete, who now lives in Australia, with the honour is planned for |July 24.

The same day the middle-distance runner will attend the unveiling of a statue of himself on the seafront. The proposal was put forward by Bill Randall, the mayor of Brighton |and Hove.

Coun Randall said: |“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the Olympics in Brighton and Hove than by recognising the world-beating sporting achievements of one of its most distinguished and famous sons.”

Mr Ovett, who was educated at Varndean School in Brighton, was also a world record-holder at 1,500 metres and the mile. A bronze statue to the athlete used to stand in Preston Park.

However, it was cut down and stolen in September 2007.

City businessmen have come together and paid £50,000 for a permanent reminder of him to be recast.

They believe it will serve as an inspiration for thousands of people in the city to take up the sport.

The artist behind the original sculpture, Brighton-based Pete Webster, has been tasked with creating the new statue.

It will stand on a stone plinth about 1.5 metres high in Madeira Drive, near the finishing line of the Brighton Marathon course.

Only four Freedom of the City honours have been awarded since Brighton and Hove City Council was formed in 1997.

Veteran Argus local government correspondent Adam Trimingham and World War One veteran Henry Allingham have both received the honour.

Last year Burma’s pro-democracy leader and Nobel Peace prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi became the first honorary freewoman of the city.

Brighton resident Flight Lieutenant Marc Heal, who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross after rescuing 29 injured troops during missions in Afghanistan, also received the honour at the same ceremony.