Mandeville and Wenlock revealed at Stoke Mandeville Stadium
LOCOG today unveiled its Olympic Mascot, Wenlock and Paralympic Mascot, Mandeville at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, the birthplace of the Paralympic Games.
Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson and Chris Holmes, LOCOG director of Paralympic Integration visited the Stadium to launch the mascots.
Wenlock and Mandeville were created from the last drops of steel left over from the construction of the final support girder for the Olympic Stadium. An animated film, based on a story by children’s author Michael Morpurgo, shows how the figures were brought to life and are able to reflect and adapt to their surroundings, changing their appearance depending on the situation. Wenlock and Mandeville will now go on separate journeys, often crossing paths and meeting people all over the UK inspiring them to choose sport as they head towards the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.
The mascots’ names reflect the UK’s rich Olympic and Paralympic histories. Wenlock’s name is inspired by the Shropshire village of Much Wenlock where the ‘Wenlock Games’ was one of the inspirations that led the founder of the modern Olympic movement Baron Pierre de Coubertin to create the Olympic Games. Mandeville’s name is inspired by Stoke Mandeville in Buckinghamshire. In the 1940s, Dr.Ludwig Guttmann came to Stoke Mandeville Hospital to set up a new spinal unit to help former soldiers suffering from spinal cord injuries. Looking for ways to inspire those in his care, he encouraged them to take up sport, leading to the formation of the Stoke Mandeville Games, widely recognised as a forerunner of the modern Paralympic movement.
LOCOG Chairman Sebastian Coe commented: “We’ve created our mascots for children. They will connect young people with sport and tell the story of our proud Olympic and Paralympic history. By linking young people to the values of sport, Wenlock and Mandeville will help inspire kids to strive to be the best they can be.”
A UK wide schools competition has been launched to determine where Wenlock and Mandeville’s journeys take them next. Schools which are part of the London 2012 Get Set education programme can invite Wenlock and Mandeville to visit their school and community.
Wenlock and Mandeville have a number of unique design features including yellow lights on their heads, inspired by London’s iconic black taxis; Wenlock wears friendship bands in the colours of the Olympic rings and Mandeville wears a timing device to track its personal best. The mascots’ single eye is a camera, which will capture the people they meet, the places they go and the sports they try on their journey to 2012.
Both Wenlock and Mandeville constantly try to achieve their personal best and encourage others to follow them. The public will be able to choose which sports Wenlock and Mandeville experience first on the mascot website.
Reflecting London 2012’s vision to appeal to young people, both Wenlock and Mandeville will naturally have significant presence online, with their own website at www.london2012.com/mascots which is linked to their individual Twitter and Facebook sites. These sites will give the public a chance to follow the mascots’ journey and interact with them.
IPC President Sir Philip Craven said: “The mascot for the London 2012 Paralympic Games is marvellous. I congratulate the London 2012 Organising Committee for the excellent choice of this unique mascot. During its journey in the upcoming two years, Mandeville will report about the Paralympic Movement and inspire people to learn about the Paralympic values and achievements of Paralympic athletes. I am sure that it will be loved by children all over the world."
Wenlock and Mandeville both have their own Facebook and Twitter pages.