If you’re a fan of the Olympics, you may be familiar with the mascots that represent each host city. These characters are often designed to reflect the culture and history of the host country, and they play an important role in promoting the games to a global audience.
The London Olympics in 2012 were no exception, and they featured two mascots that captured the spirit of Britain in their own unique way. Let’s take a closer look at these lovable characters and their names.
The London 2012 Olympic mascots were Wenlock and Mandeville. These two characters were named after two towns in England: Much Wenlock, which hosted a precursor to the modern Olympics in the 19th century, and Stoke Mandeville, which is known for its role in developing the Paralympic Games.
Wenlock and Mandeville were created by designer Michael Morpurgo and Illustrator Emma Chichester Clark. They were inspired by a short animation film that was produced for the London bid for the Olympics, which featured a character made out of steel girders that came to life and explored London’s landmarks.
Wenlock is a one-eyed creature with horns on his head that resemble those of a bicycle helmet. He has three points on his head that represent the three medals awarded at each Olympic event: gold, silver, and bronze.
His body is made up of five Olympic rings that represent unity among nations. Wenlock wears friendship bracelets on his wrists that symbolize his commitment to building relationships between people from different countries.
Mandeville is similar in appearance to Wenlock but has a differently shaped head with earphones as his ears. His name comes from Stoke Mandeville Hospital where Dr Ludwig Guttmann organized sporting competitions for injured World War II veterans as part of their rehabilitation program. He also has three points on his head representing medals but has Paralympic colors instead of the Olympic ones.
The mascots were designed to appeal to children and adults alike. They were featured in various marketing materials, merchandise, and even a cartoon series that aired on British television. Wenlock and Mandeville also made appearances at various events leading up to the Olympics, including school visits, community festivals, and sports events.
In conclusion, the London Olympics 2012 mascots were Wenlock and Mandeville. They were named after Much Wenlock and Stoke Mandeville, two towns in England with historic connections to the Olympic movement.
These characters were designed to capture the spirit of Britain and promote unity among nations. Their unique designs and personalities made them popular among both children and adults, making them a memorable part of the 2012 games.