Mascot design required for World champs

It’s time to get the crayons out as sports-mad kids have the chance to design the mascots for this year’s World Athletics Championships.

The mascot design competition for this summer?s World Para Athletics Championships and World Championships in London has now launched.

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And in conjunction with children’s TV fave Blue Peter, participants aged 6-15 have until February 10 to submit their designs. The mascot design can be any shape or size so get cracking.

[pullquote]I love the idea of running at a championships knowing I?ve been part of the creation of the mascot. – Richard Whitehead.[/pullquote]

The best 10 entries from three age groups are then selected to go before a second round of judging.

Olympic champion Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill and double Paralympic gold medallist Richard Whitehead will both be on the judging panel. And they know their mascot art. Probably.

Prizes for the winner include four tickets to a session at either Championships and a VIP tour of the London Stadium. Add to that a framed photo of the finished mascots and a Blue Peter orange competition badge.

But in my view the best reward will be to watch someone bringing your mascot to life. A perfect role for an in-between-jobs actor.

Indeed, I’ve seen a few sporting mascots in my time. While it’s usually pretty entertaining, you do wonder what skills you need to don a costume and whip up a crowd.

It’s a sports feast at the London Stadium this summer. The World Para Athletics run from July 14-23, with the World Championships following at the same venue from August 4-13.

You can find more details on the mascot design competition in the video above and at www.london2017athletics.com/mascots.