2012年7月19日星期四

The Olympic mascot masquerade: Wenlock and Mandeville invade London... but no-one will be fooled by their bizarre disguises

Olympic mascots Wenlock and Manderville are eye-catching at the best of times.
But today Londoners were treated to a special sight as the energetic cycloptic duo invaded London in a bizarre array of disguises.
A collection of 83 sculptures of the couple were planted at sites around the city as part of a new 'discovery' trail to promote the Games.
Can you see him? A collection of 83 sculptures of the couple were planted at sites around the city as part of a new 'discovery' trail to promote the Games
Can you see him? A collection of 83 sculptures of the couple were planted at sites around the city as part of a new 'discovery' trail to promote the Games
The two-metre tall figures are part of Stroll, six individual discovery trails around the city, with the aim of encouraging Londoners and tourists alike to explore the capital on foot.Each outfit represents a different element of the capital's culture.
The sculptures have already proved popular with tourists and children who were keen to have their pictures taken beside the one-eyed icons.
 

They include a Cockney Wenlock, with illustrations of well-known cockney rhyming slang terms all over his body and Punk Mandeville, who looks every inch the rebellious anarchist.
The one-eyed cartoon mascots represent droplets of steel that was used to build the Olympic stadium, organisers have revealed.
The Victorian Wenlock: The one-eyed cartoon mascots represent droplets of steel that was used to build the Olympic stadium, organisers have revealed
The Victorian Wenlock: The one-eyed cartoon mascots represent droplets of steel that was used to build the Olympic stadium, organisers have revealed
The Cockney Wenlock the London 2012 Olympic games mascot, placed on St Botolph street in the City of London
The Punk Mandeville the London 2012 Paralympic games mascot, outside St Botolph Church Aldgate in the City of London.
Apples and pears: The Cockney Wenlock, left, has illustrations of well-known cockney rhyming slang terms all over his body while The Punk Mandeville, right, looks every inch a rebellious anarchist. Both  are stationed at Aldgate in the City of London
Running round London: Wenlock decorated with a street map of Westminster as part of the London Games promotion
Running round London: Wenlock decorated with a street map of Westminster as part of the London Games promotion
The Punk Mandeville the London 2012 Paralympic games mascot, outside St Botolph Church Aldgate in the City of London
The Cockney Wenlock the London 2012 Olympic games mascot, placed on St Botolph street in the City of London
Strategically placed: The models popped up at a string of locations around London
The duo require a certain amount of explanation before they begin to make any sense.

Firstly the names, which might ring a few geographical bells.
Wenlock is named after the Shropshire town of Much Wenlock where, in the mid-19th century, the Wenlock Games became one of the inspirations for the modern Olympic movement.
Mandeville's name is derived from Stoke Mandeville, in Buckinghamshire, home to Stoke Mandeville Hospital.
Judge Wenlock: Wenlock is named after the Shropshire town of Much Wenlock where, in the mid-19th century, the Wenlock Games became one of the inspirations for the modern Olympic movement
Judge Wenlock: Wenlock is named after the Shropshire town of Much Wenlock where, in the mid-19th century, the Wenlock Games became one of the inspirations for the modern Olympic movement
Cast in the fires of Bolton: They are said to have been fashioned from the last drops of steel left over from the final support girder of the Olympic stadium when it was made in Bolton
Cast in the fires of Bolton: They are said to have been fashioned from the last drops of steel left over from the final support girder of the Olympic stadium when it was made in Bolton
Cast in the fires of Bolton: They are said to have been fashioned from the last drops of steel left over from the final support girder of the Olympic stadium when it was made in Bolton
Household Cavalry Mandeville in front of the Houses of Parliament. A collection of 83 sculptures of the couple were planted at sites around the city
Household Cavalry Mandeville in front of the Houses of Parliament. A collection of 83 sculptures of the couple were planted at sites around the city

Doctor Wenlock: He is named after the Shropshire town of Much Wenlock where, in the mid-19th century, the Wenlock Games became one of the inspirations for the modern Olympic movement
Doctor Wenlock: He is named after the Shropshire town of Much Wenlock where, in the mid-19th century, the Wenlock Games became one of the inspirations for the modern Olympic movement
Westminster Abbey Wenlock: The duo require a certain amount of explanation before they begin to make any sense
Westminster Abbey Wenlock: The duo require a certain amount of explanation before they begin to make any sense
In the 1940s Dr Ludwig Guttman came to the hospital to set up a new spinal unit to help former soldiers suffering from spinal cord injuries.
Looking for ways to inspire those in his care he encouraged them to take up sport and the Stoke Mandeville Games was formed, widely recognised as a forerunner of the modern Paralympic movement.

Then there is there appearance. A whole story has been created to explain that - they are said to have been fashioned from the last drops of steel left over from the final support girder of the Olympic stadium when it was made in Bolton.
Tourist Mandeville: The duo were fashioned into figures and magically came to life and set about making a journey to the Olympics in London
Tourist Mandeville: The duo were fashioned into figures and magically came to life and set about making a journey to the Olympics in London

The duo were fashioned into figures and magically came to life and set about making a journey to the Olympics in London
The duo were fashioned into figures and magically came to life and set about making a journey to the Olympics in London
Fun: The sculptures have already proved popular with tourists and children who were keen to have their pictures taken beside the one-eyed icons
Working hard: Rainbow Arts And Crafts Co in Dafeng, China, has shipped nearly 500,000 mascots of Wenlock and Mandeville for the coming Olympic and Paralympic Games
Working hard: Rainbow Arts And Crafts Co in Dafeng, China, has shipped nearly 500,000 mascots of Wenlock and Mandeville for the coming Olympic and Paralympic Games


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