The designs for London’s 2012 Olympic Games’ mascots have been ridiculed by critics, who have emphasised that Olympic mascots have traditionally represented native animals of the host nation.
The pair- London Olympic Games’ mascot Wenlock and companion Mandeville, the Paralympic Games mascot- each with a single giant eye were chosen from a shortlist of hundreds by experts and schoolchildren.
According to reports, alternatives rejected included the Big Ben with arms and legs, a teapot and a pigeon.
However, Olympic officials said the mascots were specially designed to inspire young people to take up sport.
They claimed that the yellow lights on their heads have been inspired by the lights on “London’s iconic black taxis”, while their single eye is “a camera which will capture the people they meet, the places they go and the sports they try on their journey to 2012”.
“The more formal and traditional stuff they just didn’t want. They’re fun. They’re aimed particularly at children,” The Daily Express quoted Sebastian Coe, London 2012 chairman, as saying.
