Authorities in Eldoret, Kenya, have removed statues of three athletes following widespread ridicule and criticism over their poor quality and lack of resemblance to the athletes they were meant to honor.
The statues were unveiled ahead of the ceremony officially designating Eldoret as a city but were quickly labeled “embarrassing” and a “joke” by locals and social media users.
Eldoret, known as the “home of champions” due to its proximity to the Rift Valley, a region that has produced many of Kenya’s world-class athletes, was expected to celebrate its sporting heritage with the statues. However, the artworks, which were placed at strategic roundabouts in the town, faced immediate backlash for their substandard craftsmanship.
The statues were purported to represent notable athletes, including 1,500m world-record holder, Faith Kipyegon and marathon legend, Eliud Kipchoge. However, the depictions were so poor that they became objects of ridicule rather than pride. Social media users expressed their disappointment, with one calling the statue of Kipyegon a representation of “our collective mediocrity as a country,” and another referring to the supposed statue of Kipchoge as a “joke.”
Following the outcry, the statues were removed overnight before President William Ruto officially declared Eldoret a city. Local media shared images of the now-empty pedestals, with the statues reportedly taken to an unknown location. It remains unclear whether they will be replaced or improved.
The removal of the statues has been met with approval from many Kenyans, who had voiced their displeasure at the shoddy representations. The controversy overshadowed the city’s new status and the recent celebration of Kenya’s athletes, who were honored by President Ruto for their success at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Kenya was the highest-ranked African nation, securing four gold medals among a total of 11.
