Games of the XXX Olympiad
London (GBR), July 27 – August 12, 2012

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, May 20, 2010: The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) yesterday 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.

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.”

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. (Wenlock / Mandeville). These sites will give the public a chance to follow the mascots’ journey and interact with them.

To celebrate the launch of the mascots, a limited edition run of t-shirts and pin badges has been made available for sale from today on the London 2012 online shop. With the main range of product going on sale this summer, this preview range is set to become a collector’s item in years to come.

IOC Co-ordination Commission Chairman Dennis Oswald commented: “Since 1972 when Waldi became the first official mascot of the Olympic Games, mascots have played an integral part in the story of their edition of the Games and Wenlock is no exception. Linking a British event that was one of the inspirations for the modern OIympic Games to the 30th edition of the Games, Wenlock will undoubtedly help to spread the message of Olympism across Great Britain and the world, while entertaining young and old alike.”

Wenlock and Mandeville were designed by London creative agency Iris, following an intensive selection process that included UK wide focus groups of young people, families and industry experts.

(source: LOGOC)

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