The statue of Reinier Paping, the 1963 Elfstedentocht winner, has been removed from its location in Ommen after sustaining damage.
De Telegraaf, a Dutch news outlet, reports that the statue was damaged during the night from Wednesday to Thursday and has since been taken into storage by the municipality of Overijssel.
Reinier Paping, a prominent figure in Dutch speed skating history, is celebrated for his victory in the 1963 Elfstedentocht, a famous long-distance skating event. At the time of his win, he resided in Ommen, where the statue was originally installed to honor his achievements.
The local authorities have not specified whether the damage was accidental or intentional, nor have they provided information on plans to restore or reinstall the statue.
