Councillors were pictured with very stern expressions on their faces (The Argus, September 11) with the sorry remnants of the Steve Ovett statue some misguided clown stole from Preston Park.

I think the term outcry is a bit strong to describe local reaction to this theft. Mild disapproval possibly!

What sickens me was hearing the cost of this statue. I can't recall the exact figure but think it was in excess of £20,000.

I have no doubt Ovett was a great athlete but as a personality he was a curious mixture of part hypochondriac, part attention seeker. He was not called "awkward Ovett" by the media for nothing.

On one occasion at Crystal Palace he pointed to an empty chair and indicated the Press should ask it the questions. Also he could be patronising to runners of lesser ability.

There was also the monumentally boring saga of the rivalry with Seb Coe. Steve Ovett did not put himself out for the media. Why should it put itself out for him?

Let's hope this incident consigns the whole sorry saga of Steve Ovett to where it belongs in history.

  • Richard Florey, Belvedere Terrace Brighton