Oslo police and staff at the Holmenkollen ski museum were left scratching their heads in May, after employees discovered a ski pole was missing from a statue of the late King Olav V. Authorities suspect vandalism, and on Tuesday appealed to the public for information.
The statue by scupltor Annasif Døhlen was unveiled by King Olav himself 30 years ago, reported newspaper Aftenposten. It depicts the king out skiing with his dog Troll, and was a gift from the outdoors movement to mark his 80th birthday. The statue stands between arenas at Holmenkollen, not far from the famous ski jump.
The Oslo municipality owns the statue. Sculpture conservator Lily Vikki said both the handle and bottom of the pole were still in place. “It looks like vandalism,” she said. “The pole is broken off both at the top and bottom, so we’re taking this very seriously.”
Vikki said if found, the original pole could be welded back into place. She urged the public to keep a look out for the bronze rod, which was about two metres long and two centimetres in diameter. “We’re asking people who are out walking in the area to keep your eyes open. It is best if we get the original pole back in place. We have experienced such things being recovered earlier.”
“It is a sad sight, and we sincerely hope that the king gets his left pole back,” said Karin Berg, director at the Holmenkollen Ski Museum.
newsinenglish.no staff
