They hacked the 20-year-old life-sized sculpture from its plinth in a park ­before fleeing. A lone right foot was all that remained.

The Brighton-born athlete trained in the park as a child and went on to take part in what became known as the “race of the century” when he beat arch-rival Sebastian Coe to first place in the 800 metres at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

Brighton and Hove city councillor Geoffrey Theobald said: “Steve was a well-known figure in the city. I’m very disappointed and I hope if anyone is in receipt of the statue they will return it.”

A 44-year-old woman, of no fixed address, was later arrested in connection with the theft.

Police revealed that part of the statue had been recovered but Inspector Nathan Evans said: “We strongly believe parts will be offered to scrap dealers.”

Sculptor Peter Webster spent four years creating the statue, which stood in Preston Park, Brighton, East Sussex.
The piece is worth £25,000 in artistic terms but only about £500 in scrap value.

Ovett, 51, now lives in Australia with his family.