Kenyan city forced to remove ’embarrassing’ statue of 2024 Olympic champion after residents left building in outrage
A statue believed to be of Kenyan Olympic heroine Faith Kipyegon has been removed by Eldoret city authorities after fans called it a “disgrace” and “embarrassing.”
Three statues of athletes were unveiled on Thursday at a ceremony to grant Eldoret city status.
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The athletes pictured were not named, but social media users believe one of them is Kipyegon, who set a new world record at the Paris Games when she won gold in the 1500 metres and silver in the 5000 metres.
Another possible participant is Kenyan marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge, who did not win gold medals in Rio and Tokyo because he did not finish the race in the French capital.
The statues have been heavily criticized by locals and online because they do not resemble the athletes they supposedly depict.
As a result, they were removed on Thursday night.
On X’s website, one person commented: “It’s a shame to call it a Faith Kipyegon statue.”
Others described the artwork as “embarrassing,” “shameless,” and “inferior.”
It is not yet clear whether they will be replaced.
In Paris, Kipyegon became the first woman to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals in the 1500m, adding to her 2016 and 2021 titles.
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Eldoret is known as the “Home of Champions” as it is located in the heart of the Rift Valley, where many of Kenya’s best athletes come from.
In addition to the athlete statues, other works of art were also unveiled, including a corn cob and a milk fountain.
According to the BBC, the idea was that they should represent “the sporting and agricultural heritage of the region.”
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