Kenyans expressed criticism and mockery on Thursday regarding a statue purportedly representing Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon in the renowned running center of Eldoret, as the nation celebrated its triumphant Olympians.

The rudimentary statue of a female athlete, adorned with a top bearing the Kenyan flag, was promptly removed following complaints from residents, as reported by media outlets. However, images of the effigy had already gained widespread circulation online.

Numerous social media users identified the statue as depicting Kipyegon, with some deriding it as a “disparagement” to Kenya’s athletics icon and a “farce,” while others demanded the sculptor’s apprehension or prosecution.

Kipyegon achieved a historic feat at the Paris Games by becoming the first female athlete to secure three consecutive Olympic gold medals in the 1,500-meter event, crossing the finish line with a new Olympic record time of 3 minutes 51.29 seconds.

The accomplished athlete, aged 30, additionally secured a silver medal in the 5,000-meter race after initially facing disqualification due to an alleged push against Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay.

Eldoret, Kenya, is celebrating the return of its Olympic athletes. Several statues of Olympic athletes have been erected in the city, including one of marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge.

Kipchoge’s hopes of winning a historic third straight gold medal in Paris were dashed when he pulled up about 30 kilometers into the race. President William Ruto is expected to officially declare Eldoret a city later on Thursday.