Steve Ovett's Foot

A runner’s feet may be his most important asset, so it’s rather fitting that the only remaining feature of a statue commemorating Brighton-born Olympian and holder of the world record for the fastest mile on more than one occasion, Steve Ovett, is his right foot. Ovett trained in Preston Park and went on to become Cross-country National Junior Champion in 1975, European Junior Champion over 800 metres in 1973, and gained his first major title, winning the 800 metres at the European Championships. He competed in three Olympic Games and won the 800 metres in Moscow in 1980. So it seems appropriate that at least one of his feet remains on the outskirts of the park.

The original statue, installed in 1987, was at its time the first and most expensive public sculpture in Brighton, costing private sponsors £25,000. Unfortunately, the sculpture was vandalised and broken at the ankle six weeks after its unveiling. Although it was quickly restored, it was once again stolen and broken up into pieces in 2007, probably to be melted down and sold. Curiously, the bronze base and attached foot were found and restored to their original location, but no other parts were ever returned.

Although the sculptor initially said it would be impossible to replace, as there is no mould for such a unique one-off, fortunately, £50,000 was raised in order for him to recreate the statue and place it in its new location on the seafront, in time for the 2012 London Olympic Games. The new sculpture sits safely atop a stone plinth and is placed 400 metres from the Palace Pier, making it an 800 m run, there and back.