New mascots: The Olympic mascot Wenlock, left, and the Paralympic mascot Mandeville are unveiled in East London today. They were created from 'two drops of steel from the Olympic Stadium'They've only got one set of eyes between them and bear a striking resemblance to a computer game figure crossed with a character from the film Monsters, Inc.
You might not know what they are supposed to be, but get used to them - because they are going to be all over Britain for the next two years.
Wenlock and Mandeville (a bit more catchy than Much and Stoke) are the mascots for the London 2012 Olympics.
Following controversy surrounding the £400,000 logo, branded a 'childish effort' that invited 'widespread ridicule', organisers of the games will be hoping that Wenlock and Mandeville get a more favourable reception.
Although they would not comment on the cost of creating the mascots, organisers said it had been kept to just 'a few thousand pounds' because large parts of the work were done in house or with the help of sponsors.
The duo, launched with much fanfare on the BBC's The One Show, do, however, require a certain amount of explanation before they begin to make 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.
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.
Inspiration: Wenlock copies Usain Bolt's famous pose in a four-minute animation which explains the story of the duo
Testing his skills: Wenlock tries gymnastics, inspired by Beth TweddleLooking 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.
They were fashioned into figures and magically came to life and set about making a journey to the Olympics in London.
But do they represent Britain?
Well according to London Mayor Boris Johnson they do, he said they were a 'solid coalition', adding: 'It's hard to imagine a mascot more in tune with the times...'
For those wondering about the rest of the symbolism encapsulated in two small metal figures, who in actual one-eyed steel form could probably feature on Dr Who, here's an explanation.
The orange light bearing the M and W above the single eye is inspired by the light on top of a London black cab
Built to impress: Wenlock and Mandeville's design features include cameras for eyes and the Olympic colours
Futuristic: Wenlock and Mandeville give each other a high fiveThe bands around Wenlock's arms are friendship bands in the colours of the Olympic rings, and Mandeville wears a timing device to track its personal best.
Even the head shape apparently has a meaning, the three peaks on Wenlock's head represent the three medals up for grabs in each Olympic event.
As for the single eye, it's a camera to 'capture they people they meet, the places they go and the sports they try on their journey to 2012'.Appropriately the one-eyed figures were created by London-based creative agency Iris, whose clients include Wonderbra, adidas and Argos.
Crucially the duo, not dissimilar in appearance to Sonic The Hedgehog, are both poised for action - a race, perhaps to win fans?
Although older observers might hanker for a cuddly figure like the popular mascot Misha the bear, of Moscow 1908, or the more obvious patriotism of Sydney 2000 when Australia chose native animals as its mascots, Stoke and Mandeville have been designed to appeal to children.
They will very soon be popping up on badges, gracing t-shirts, and touring the country hoping to become the endearing face of both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The duo have been given their own story, written by children's author Michael Mopurgo - who wrote War Horse, which has been turned into a four-minute animated film.
They have been given their own website, and even individual Twitter and Facebook sites and children will be able to make their own versions.
'They are really going to come to life in the digital space,' Grant Hunter of Iris Advertising said.
Which is lucky as the organisers hope to make £70million in revenue from merchandising.
Among planned events is a schools competition to enable children to decide where Wenlock and Mandeville will visit first on separate journeys around the country.
Appealing: Wenlock and Mandeville strike a Usain Bolt pose with pupils at St Paul's Whitechapel School 
Fun fitness: The mascots encourage the children to jump around and show that exercise can be as good as playtimeLondon 2012 chairman Lord Coe said the mascots had been created for children and he hoped they would inspire young people to take up sport.
'By linking young people to the values of sport, Wenlock and Mandeville will help inspire kids to strive to be the best they can be,' he said.
He said that although the designs were bold, that it was a 'tangible project' with a back story that children would love.
'We've always been open about this: we wanted to do things differently in London.'
source: dailymail
