Former marathon world record-holder invited former rivals to view statue from behind “because they would recognise it better that way”.
Steve Jones won many honours during his world record-breaking athletics career but none of them could have topped the moment he had unveiling a statue of himself that now stands proudly in his hometown of Ebbw Vale.
The man who dominated the marathon on a global stage in the mid-Eighties, winning in Chicago twice and in London, was made a Freeman of the county borough of Blaenau Gwent earlier in the year and has now become the first person in Ebbw Vale to have a statue dedicated to him.
They came from far and wide on Friday (Sept 12) to join in the special celebration, with many of Jones’ old foes and international team-mates congregating to congratulate him on his latest. There was an impromptu reunion of five of the 1984 British Olympic team as Jones was joined by Tim Hutchings, Geoff Smith, Steve Barry and Nick Rose.
Steve Binns joined in the celebration, along with Dave Bedford, and a host of Jones’ former Newport Harriers and Welsh team-mates – Dale Rixon, Ieuan Ellis, Kenny Davies, Nigel Adams, Adrian Brown, as well as his old coach, Mike Rowland.
It was an occasion that left Jones, who has lived in Boulder, Colorado, for the past 35 years, truly humbled.
“It is a huge honour for me to be remembered in this way in a town that has always meant so much to me. It’s been an incredible day,” said Jones, who turned 70 earlier in the year, after unveiling his statue.
“When the statue project was first raised, I wasn’t sure whether or not it would happen, but now I’m here standing beside it, it is almost surreal.
“It’s always lovely to come home, but this time was extra special. I can’t believe the people of Blaenau Gwent are doing this for me – and all because I did a bit of running.”
The statue has been seven years in the planning from the day Lee Aherne, chair of Parc Bryn Bach running club, first put the idea to the local council. Eventually, with help from Cllr Sue Edmunds, the dream became a reality and the statue now stands proudly outside the entrance to the Ebbw Vale Leisure Centre.
Covid initially slowed things down but the partnership between the partnership between Blaenau Gwent Council, Parc Bryn Bach Running Club, and the Aneurin Leisure Trust, with support from crowdfunding and the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, eventually culminated in this…
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