Steve Ovett to be made a freeman of Brighton and Hove

Brighton-born Olympic gold medallist Steve Ovett is due to be made a Freeman of the City of Brighton and Hove on Tuesday (24 July).

Ovett, 56, won the 800 metres final at the Moscow Games in 1980, beating his great rival Seb Coe, who took silver. Coe, the mastermind behind the London Games, won the 1,500m though, with Ovett taking bronze.

Ovett, who went to Varndean School, will be honoured at a special meeting of Brighton and Hove City Council at Brighton Town Hall.

He is also due to unveil his new statue today on the seafront close to where the Brighton Marathon ends. It has been paid for by local businesses to replace one stolen from Preston Park five years ago.

Mayor Bill Randall, who proposed the honour, 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.”