[Apparelyzed]

London 2012 Paralympic Games Mascot - Mandeville

London 2012 organisers have unveiled cartoon animations named Wenlock and Mandeville as the mascots for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Focus groups of children and families were involved and helped form the designs, and children's author Michael Morpurgo wrote a story concept for an animated series.

"We've created our mascots for children," said Locog chair Lord Coe.

"They will connect young people with sport, and tell the story of our proud Olympic and Paralympic history."

The two characters are named after the english village of Much Wenlock in Shropshire - which hosted a precursor to the modern Olympic Games in the 19th Century - and the birthplace of the Paralympic Games, Stoke Mandeville hospital in Buckinghamshire.

Mandeville's head reflects aspects of the three crescent shapes of the Paralympics symbol.

What do you think?

Any good?

Simon

[graphic]

I can't say I'm impressed, they look like Japanese cartoon characters to me. The film showing 'Mandeville' wheeling around then jumping out of his chair and running reminds of the Character in Little Britain - another 'part time' crip. Yes folks, we're only in a chair when we feel like it. Another gripe is that, whilst I realise how important it is to encourage children to take an interest, I'm a little fed up of the way everything seems to be geared towards children these days. After all, the Olympics is more of an adult event.
I sound like a grumpy old sod but I'm not really - honest!

This post has been edited by graphic: 20 May 2010 - 01:00 PM

[greybeard]

graphic, on May 20 2010, 01:57 PM, said:

I sound like a grumpy old sod but I'm not really - honest!

Well I am - honest!

Don't forget that paralympians are not all wheelchair users. Some really can do running, jumping and standing still.
I'm reserving judgement on the mascots although my first impressions are not too favourable. At least a little bit of effort has gone into creating them - unlike that bloody awful logo.

[HiltonP]

My lasting impression of Stoke Mandeville was of our South African disabled athletes being banned from any and all of their sports events, them refusing to meet with our management and/or coaching staff, and refusing to enter into any form of correspondence re. disabled sport. Their management showed themselves to be a particularly mean and vindictive group of people, quite unlike any other group I have ever had to deal with.

Graphic . . . You're right, the Olympics is an adult event. In fact there is a minimum age requirement, I think it's 16?
For some reason the powers that be appear to want to "cute-si-fi" world sport. Everyone has to be nice, and pleasant,
and polite, etc . . . whatever happened to hard-nosed physical competition?

[graphic]

greybeard, on May 20 2010, 02:32 PM, said:

Don't forget that paralympians are not all wheelchair users. Some really can do running, jumping and standing still.
I'm reserving judgement on the mascots although my first impressions are not too favourable. At least a little bit of effort has gone into creating them - unlike that bloody awful logo.

You're quite right Greybeard - but don't let it go to your head! I thought about it again after I'd posted and I thought about those who don't use chairs. Maybe 'Mandeville' could have been shown with just one leg - it would have been an obvious disability but he could still be shown running with one of those brilliant 'spring' type prosthetic legs (I don't know what they're called). Alternatively, he could have been shown in a chair but doing fast wheelies or even back flips (I've seen someone doing that on the web, amazing). Either of those would show a disabled person (or character) doing something fantastic without having to 'ditch' the disability to achieve it. I don't think 'Manderville' is a good name either, not if it's aimed at children - should have been something catchy like 'Gimp', lol. Maybe I'm being too pernickety, at least it's good that Paralympians are included. If nothing else I'm sure all those 'Pretenders' out there will be able to relate to him

HiltonP, on May 20 2010, 02:39 PM, said:

For some reason the powers that be appear to want to "cute-si-fi" world sport. Everyone has to be nice, and pleasant, and polite, etc . . . whatever happened to hard-nosed physical competition?

I agree HiltonP, it's a major competitive event and as such should be taken seriously. As for hard-nosed physical competition, there's nothing quite like it - anyone want to nude wrestle?

This post has been edited by graphic: 20 May 2010 - 05:53 PM

[ems]

mmm Cant see it .. copyright issues!

[Apparelyzed]

Try now!

[ems]

Apparelyzed, on May 20 2010, 07:07 PM, said:

Try now!

awww aren't they cute ;) Bionic too!!