Perry, a multicoloured bull has been chosen to be the official mascot of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games (28 July to 8 August 2022.)
Designed by Emma Lou (a 10-year old girl) for a national design competition, Perry represents Birmingham’s heritage and celebrates the region’s diversity and community.
Perry perfectly embodies the motto of the 2022 Commonwealth Games England, Games for Everyone. This is because this design was combined with the findings from the Virtual Mascot Summit presented by Denise Lewis OBE and TV Presenter Radzi Chinyanganya.
Let’s learn a bit more about the Birmingham Games mascot.
| Read More: Want to learn more about the 2022 Commonwealth Games? Check out our complete guide to the Games here! Check out our itinerary for Things To Do In Birmingham and extend your stay beyond the 2022 Commonwealth Games. |
This Article Covers:
- Who is the Commonwealth Games 2022 Mascot?
- Characteristics of Perry the Bull
- How Did Perry Become the Official Mascot?
- 5 FAQs About the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
Who is the Commonwealth Games 2022 Mascot?
The official mascot of the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games is Perry, the multicoloured bull.
He is the first multi sport games mascot to be brought to life via augmented reality. This will allow you to #PoseWithPerry with your mobile phones through a special filter on Instagram and Facebook.
You can also get an animated 3D version of the mascot in your living room, pose for pictures, and share the pictures on social media. You can thank Birmingham animator Taran Singh for bringing the bull to life through augmented reality!
Perry joins other iconic, fantastic mascots of the Commonwealth Games, such as Wira the Orangutan from Kuala Lumpur, Shera the Tiger from India, Clyde the Thistle from Glasgow, and Borobi the Koala from the Gold Coast.
Are you ready to meet Perry? Let’s explore the mascots characteristics and Perrys personality in more detail.
Characteristics of Perry the Bull
The 2022 Commonwealth Games mascot is a strong, kind, and cheeky Brummie bull that can’t wait to get the party started!
Meet Perry! Here are some interesting details about this mascots characteristics:
1. Meaning Behind the Name
Perry is named after the Perry Barr area of Birmingham, home to the Alexander Stadium, which will host the opening and closing ceremonies of these multi sport games.
You’ll also find some of the competitive events held at the Alexander Stadium with Perry at the side to cheer the competitors on!
2. Why a Bull?
When you think Birmingham, you think bull!
Birmingham has had a Bull Ring market since the 16th century, near the modern Bull Ring shopping centre, which features an iconic bronze bull sculpture.
However, Perry is the more approachable, cheeky, and kind version of this famous Brummie bull!
3. What Do the Hexagons Mean?
Perry’s hexagons reflect all the colours of the rainbow, truly exemplifying the motto, Games for Everyone.
These hexagons represent everyone in the Commonwealth coming together in equal partnership with the communities of modern Birmingham and the West Midlands.
Hexagons are also a strong shape, much like the Commonwealth Games family!
4. The Gold Medal
Perry’s gold medal is a nod to Birminghams iconic Jewellery Quarter, the largest in Europe.
This area produces about 40% of the nation’s jewellery. It’s home to one of the world’s largest Assay Offices (places that test the purity of precious metals) that hallmarks about 12 million precious items per year.
5. The Colours of Perry’s Kit
The blue, red, and yellow stripes on Perry’s kit are symbolic of the colours of the Birmingham flag!
Proud of his heritage and following the Brum motto of Forward, Perry is looking forward to meeting everyone at the Games!
But the million-pound question is, how did they choose Perry to be the Birmingham 2022 mascot?
How Did Perry Become the Official Mascot?
Perry was designed by 10-year-old Emma Lou from Bolton, Greater Manchester, the winner of a national design competition in 2020. Among the judging panel was Team England’s athlete Katrina Hart, a gold medal winner at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and the 2011 BT Paralympic World Cup.
Emma’s winning design was combined with the findings of the Virtual Mascot Summit in July 2020. This was hosted by Olympic champion and President of the Commonwealth Games England Denise Lewis OBE, as well as TV presenter Radzi Chinyanganya.
Denise Lewis has said she was taken aback by the children’s creativity during the Virtual Mascot Summit. She also explained how Perry represents the heritage of not just modern Birmingham but of the West Midlands.
Ian Reid, Chief Executive of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, revealed that Perry is everything he hoped a mascot would be: colourful, bright, energetic, celebrating diversity, and the region’s heritage.
Emma, the mascot maker, was ecstatic that her design was chosen, and she looks forward to seeing the mascot during the Opening Ceremony of the Birmingham Games.
Eric Lou, Emma’s father, was bursting with pride that she took the traditional Brummie bull and made it extra special for every person competing in the Games.
5 FAQs About the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
Here’s everything you might want to know about the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
1. In Which Country Will the 2022 Commonwealth Games Be Held?
The 2022 Games will be held in Birmingham, England, from 28 July to 8 August 2022.
This marks the third time England has held the Commonwealth Games (previously London in 1934 and Manchester in 2002). These Games are also said to be the most expensive sporting event held in England since the London 2012 Olympic Games.
(Traveling to the West Midlands for the first time? Find out How Far Birmingham Is From London.)
2. What is the Motto of the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games?
The motto for the 2022 Commonwealth Games is Games for Everyone.
This was decided after an extensive survey of the West Midlands area to find out what each person is most proud of. The survey found that celebrating the diversity and heritage of the region is what brought people the most joy.
Additionally, these Games will highlight Birmingham’s evolution from the Industrial Revolution and the Black Country to the current global powerhouse it is today.
The 2022 Commonwealth Games also offers a level playing field for men and women with an integrated para-sports programme.
3. What is the Logo of the Commonwealth Games?
The official emblem for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games was unveiled on 27 July 2019.
The emblem itself is a jagged and triangular “B” shape formed using blue and yellow gradient lines. These represent the key venues of the Commonwealth Games throughout the West Midlands and bring them together to form the “B” shape.
4. Is There Merchandise Based on the 2022 Commonwealth Games mascot, Perry?
Yes, a range of clothing and accessories based on the mascot is available for purchase online. Here, you can also buy clothing for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and a Perry plush toy to post on social media.
You can also download colouring sheets of Perry, the mascot, playing multiple sports.
5. How Long Will the Commonwealth Games England Last?
The Games will start on 28 July 2022, with the Opening Ceremony held at the Alexander Stadium in the Perry Barr area. The Closing Ceremony will be held on 8 August 2022 in the same location.
We wish all the competitors good luck at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games!
Game on!
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