Wenlock

Hello, I’m Wenlock, the official mascot for the London 2012 Olympic Games! 1

Wenlock My name is inspired by Much Wenlock in Shropshire, a town that is at the heart of Olympic history. 2

Wenlock In the 19th century, Baron Pierre de Coubertin was invited there to watch the ‘Much Wenlock games’ inspired by the Olympic Games of ancient Greece. 3

Wenlock De Coubertin was inspired by the Wenlock Games too, and went on to found the modern Olympic movement. 4

Wenlock Do you like the light on my head? What do you think inspired the designers to give Wenlock a light? 5

Wenlock It’s inspired by the lights on London’s iconic black taxis. 6

Wenlock The shape of the front of my head is based on the shape of the Olympic Stadium roof. My eye is a camera lens, capturing everything I see as I go! 7

Wenlock Do you like three points on my head? What do you think inspired the designers to give Wenlock these three points? 8

Wenlock They represent the places on the podium where successful athletes stand to receive their medals. 9

Mandeville

Hi, I’m Mandeville, the official mascot for the London 2012 Paralympic Games! 10

Mandeville My name is inspired by Stoke Mandeville in Buckinghamshire, the birthplace of the Paralympic Games. 11

Mandeville On the same day as the Opening Ceremony of the London 1948 Olympic Games, Sir Ludwig Guttmann held his own sport competition in Stoke Mandeville for World War II soldiers with spinal injuries. 12

Mandeville It was no coincidence – Sir Ludwig dreamed of a ‘parallel Olympics’ for athletes with disabilities. 13

Mandeville The Stoke Mandeville Games grew and grew until they became the Paralympic Games. 14

Mandeville My eye is a camera lens, capturing everything I see as I go. 15

Mandeville On my head are three prongs. What do you think they represent? 16

Mandeville The three on my head represent the three parts of the Paralympic emblem. 17

Mandeville Like my tail and my hands they’re aerodynamic, which is really important as I’m a ‘spirit in motion’, always rushing around. 18

Mandeville Do you like my wrist band on my arm? What do you think my wristband does? 19

Mandeville I’m constantly trying to beat my personal best – the personal best timer on my wrist helps me keep track, as well as making sure I’m focused on London