Table of Contents
Who decided to hold Olympic Games in the village of Much Wenlock in 1850?
Much Wenlock is a small town of around 3,000 people, but it was here in 1850 that Dr William Penny Brookes helped to launch the Wenlock Olympian Games, which would in turn go on to inspire the founder of the Modern Olympics, French educator Baron Pierre de Coubertin.
When was the first Olympic mascot introduced?
1972
The very first official Olympic Games mascot appeared in 1972 for the Olympic Games in Munich, Germany. Waldi the dachshund started a tradition of capturing the spirit of the Olympics with a good-luck character. Runners even ran a course route that was in the shape of the mascot!
Who founded Wenlock Games?
Dr William Penny Brookes
One of the two mascots for the 2012 Summer Olympics was named Wenlock in honour of the Wenlock Olympian Games….
| Wenlock Olympian Games | |
|---|---|
| Founder | Dr William Penny Brookes |
| Website | www.wenlock-olympian-society.org.uk |
Who invented the Wenlock Games?
Dr. William Penny Brookes
Much Wenlock is home to the Wenlock Olympian Games. These famous games and Dr. William Penny Brookes, the founder, are thought to have inspired the modern Olympic Games that began in 1896, only 6 years after Baron Pierre de Coubertin (the founder of the International Olympic Committee) visited the Games.
Why is mascot called Wenlock?
Wenlock takes his name from the town of Much Wenlock in Shropshire, which still hosts the traditional Much Wenlock Games. These were one of Pierre de Coubertin’s sources of inspiration for the modern Olympic Games.
How did Wenlock and Mandeville get their names?
Wenlock and Mandeville. Part of a series on. Part of a series on. Wenlock is the official mascot for the 2012 Summer Olympics, and Mandeville is the official mascot for the 2012 Summer Paralympics, both held in London, England, United Kingdom. Named after Much Wenlock and Stoke Mandeville, they were created by Iris, a London-based creative agency.
Why are Wenlock and Mandeville in the Olympics?
The reality is, LOCOG specifically designed each character with a number of ideas and themes in mind. Wenlock is meant to represent the Olympics, while Mandeville is meant to represent the Paralympics.
How did Stoke Mandeville get his name from?
Mandeville is named after Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. In 1948, Stoke Mandeville Hospital organised the first Stoke Mandeville Games, considered to be the precursor to the Paralympics. The three spikes on Mandeville’s helmet represent the Paralympic Agitos. He also represents friendship.
What do the rings on Wenlock’s wrists mean?
The five friendship rings on his wrists correspond to the five Olympic rings, and three points on his head represent the three places on the podium. The pattern on his body symbolises the whole world coming to London, and the shape of his helmet represents the shape of the Olympic Stadium.