Wenlock and Mandeville…
Well, well, well.
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) just unveiled the mascots for the London 2012 Games. And shock, horror, there isn’t a fluffy animal in sight…
The two mascots, ‘Wenlock’ for the Olympics and ‘Mandeville’ for the Paralympics are one-eyed, metallic creatures of the tellytubby variety.
Cute back-story time; they were borne from the last two drops of steel poured for the final girder of the 2012 stadium, taken home by a loving retiring Grandfather who carves them into their one-eyed mascot form.
The animated video (although a tad long), sets them up perfectly.
Given the brief was to create mascots that would excite and inspire young people and encourage them to get involved in sport, I think all involved can give themselves a pat on the back. Mascots of the sporting variety are usually cheese-tastic furry Disney rejects. This offering will engage the little blighters, really think they’ve nailed this one…
Disappointing to see the talking heads on Newsnight moaning about these last night. Perhaps they didn’t read the brief before getting on their soap boxes?
Iain G. Morrison is a senior marketer in the British Tourism Industry. And a 2012 mascot lover. For the alternative take on it, gotta love the daily mash…