2012 Olympics mascot is a county boy

Thursday 20th May 2010, 11:29AM BST.

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Wenlock, the logo for the London 2012 Olympic Games

Meet Wenlock, the colourful character putting Shropshire at the heart of the 2012 Olympics.

Olympic gold medallist Jonathan Edwards revealed the news that one of the mascots for the London games had been named after Much Wenlock at a ceremony held in Much Wenlock’s Priory Hall last night.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games said Wenlock the mascot was a tribute to Dr William Penny Brookes, who founded a precursor to the modern Olympic Games in 1850.

And Mr Edwards, also a world champion and world record holder, said he wanted the Much Wenlock story to inspire the rest of the country.

He said: “It’s a special place with a special story to tell.

“I think Much Wenlock is an example – it’s about the good and the positives of taking part in sport, arts and culture and how those values can lead to the development of young people.

“Wenlock has played a very important part in the genesis of the Olympic movement and that will come to greater prominence now with the naming of the mascot.”

What do you think of Wenlock? Tell us in the comment box below

World record holder and former Olympian, Jonathan Edwards, right, unveiling the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic mascots at Much Wenlock Priory Hall, Shropshire, with Bill Morris, Director of Culture, Ceremonies and Education

1
spencer

May 20, 2010 at 09:18

Will they do one that fits in your pocket called Little Wenlock..

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- Ellen
  
  May 20, 2010 at 12:41
  
  That made me giggle!
  
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2
Liz

May 20, 2010 at 10:33

I love it… great fun design.

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3
merc

May 20, 2010 at 10:44

Very ‘yoof’, very techy, and trying desperately hard to be current…but a step up from the naff ‘streetwise’ styled logo that Jay-Z could have done on his night off from decorating underground trains. Nice change to see they aren’t denying our heritage completely though with the name. Unlike Shrewsbury Town FC.

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4
Shy

May 20, 2010 at 11:10

I think they are great and fantastic publicity for Much Wenlock took me a while to work out Mandeville though very clever..

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5
Stephen Sanders

May 20, 2010 at 12:15

Great that Much Wenlock is being remembered, but the mascots are quite sick.

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6
eva land

May 20, 2010 at 14:36

I’d have thought Cyclops was more apt.

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7
southshrops

May 20, 2010 at 14:51

One big staring eye? A coin slot in the top (I trust there’s one in the bottom too, so the dosh can drain away)? Stubby legs? What is that all about? Scary.

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8
mike

May 20, 2010 at 17:56

A bit twee. Kids thought they were tellie tubbies.

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9
Agatha2

May 20, 2010 at 18:48

The mascots are all very nice, but are THEY and the rest of the Souveners ACTUALLY being made here in Britain or China, if its China, then it will be a total disgrace as we surely have the expertise to do it here and it would be wonderful to have them MADE IN BRITAIN,

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10
Steven

May 21, 2010 at 13:41

As far as I am aware, the merchandising is being done in Telford at the former Merrythought factory, not sure what they are called now.

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- spencer
  
  May 22, 2010 at 12:04
  
  merrythoughts
  
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11
winja

May 21, 2010 at 23:04

It would be more appropriate if the mascot was made at an Ann Summers factory.

These “things” are an utter, utter embarrassment and just makes this country look even more like a laughing stock.

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- mark
  
  May 22, 2010 at 15:00
  
  Utter embarrassment! Classic! You would prefer the mascot to resemble a Rampant Rabbit instead? Would Love to see the promo video for that! Ha ha ha – thats made my day!
  
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  - spencer
    
    May 24, 2010 at 10:04
    
    Lighten up Winja, there just puppets and are hardly going to contribute to the downfall of the nation ” utter embaressment ” indeed.
    
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  - winja
    
    May 24, 2010 at 19:30
    
    Mark,
    
    It looks like a marital aid already. Hence why it would be appropriate for it to be manufactured in a sex toy factory.
    
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12
eva land

May 22, 2010 at 16:34

They don’t seem to bear any relation to sports or athleticism, the history of the competitions which we can lay some claim to or anything you could identify with on this planet at all.
They look like something you would tell children they may turn into if they watch too much TV or play computor games excessively!

[It would be more appropriate if the mascot was made at an Ann Summers factory.]
I,m not quite sure what the connection is there but the mind boggles Winja! :)

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13
gary

May 24, 2010 at 12:24

wenlock is special drugs drunks no jobs no bus service to get a job nothing to do when you visit but walk around for no reason its great

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14
Charlies Boy

May 25, 2010 at 11:28

First the ‘migraine’ logo now this cycloptic gargoyle. The Olympic committee must be on LSD.

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15
eva land

May 25, 2010 at 16:01

The video promoting the Olympics is a cross between Wallace & Gromit and Disney but not funny, subtle or clever.
I cannot see Much Wenlock benefitting much from this rubbish.

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