Cerebral Palsy Sport Ireland

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) today unveiled its Olympic Mascot, Wenlock and Paralympic Mascot, Mandeville.

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.”

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.”

INFO SOURCE - www.London2012.com

INFO SOURCE - http://insidethegames.biz