Olympic mascots off to meet UK's pupils

Ready, set, go! Olympic mascots Wenlock and Mandeville are planning a cross-country trip from their Shropshire base to educate UK youngsters about the Olympic Games.

Schools throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are now being invited to make friends with the hi-tech, sporting duo before the pair arrive in London in time for the 2012 Olympic Games.

The mascots have strong links with Shropshire because Wenlock's name was inspired by Much Wenlock's association with the modern Olympics.

The modern day games were founded by Baron Pierre de Courbertin after he witnessed the Much Wenlock Games in the 19th century, which had been inspired by the Olympic Games which were held in ancient Greece.

The Much Wenlock Games, which are still held in the town annually, were founded by Dr William Penny Brookes.

Today a spokesman for the 2012 Games said that a major initiative called Get Set had been launched.

And UK schools can now apply through the Get Set scheme to meet Wenlock and Mandeville.

He said: "They are on an adventure around the UK, meeting lots of people and making new friends before reaching London in 2012.

"Through Get Set, people could be part of the story. Wenlock and Mandeville are passionate about the Olympic and Paralympic values and can't wait to get out and meet the children and young people who are living those values too.

"We're running a competition so that youngsters could be among the first people to meet them."

London's 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe said Wenlock and Mandeville had been created for children.

He said: "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," he added.

David Moorcroft, chairman of West Midlands 2012 events, added: "The West Midlands, through Much Wenlock, holds a very special place in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games."

Further details are available by visiting www.london2012.com/mascots .

Mascots Wenlock and Mandeville also now have their own Facebook and Twitter pages.