Ian Seabrook, Stoke Mandeville Stadium’s business development manager, told insideworldparasport that he was delighted to learn that the mascot has been called Mandeville.

On Wednesday (May 19), London 2012 yesterday revealed its mascots, Wenlock for the Olympics and Mandeville for the Paralympics, which have been created from the last drops of steel left over from the construction of the final support girder for the Olympic Stadium.

They were launched publicly on the BBC One show The One Show and their names reflect the UK’s rich Olympic and Paralympic histories.

While Wenlock’s name is inspired by the Shropshire village of Much Wenlock, where the Wenlock Games inspire the founder of the modern Olympic Movement Baron Pierre de Coubertin to create the Olympic Games, Mandeville’s name is inspired by Stoke Mandeville in Buckinghamshire.

In the 1940s, Dr.Ludwig Guttmann came to Stoke Mandeville 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, Guttmann encouraged them to take up sport, leading to the formation of the Stoke Mandeville Games which is widely recognised as a precursor to the modern Paralympic Games.

Following the announcement, Seabrook admitted that he was overjoyed when he heard that the London 2012 Paralympic mascot has been named in order to recognise the considerable contribution of Stoke Mandeville to the Paralympic Games.

Seabrook told insideworldparasport: "I had no idea about what the mascot’s name would be so when I heard the announcement that the London 2012 Paralympic mascot would be called Mandeville; it was a very pleasant surprise indeed.

"We are all so delighted and honoured that LOCOG have decided to recognise the contribution of Stoke Mandeville to the Paralympic Games.

"The decision to name the mascot Mandeville will give the work we do here far wider recognition over the UK and further afield too as well as underline Stoke Mandeville as the home of the Paralympic Games.

"The mascots look absolutely fantastic and we can’t thank LOCOG enough for their decision to recognise us in creating them.”

Dame Tanni Grey Thompson, Britain's most famous Paralympian, who was in Stoke Mandeville as the London 2012 mascots were revealed, added: "I love the names because of the historical link.

"It is something we should all be proud of."

ParalympicsGB chief executive Phil Lane also welcomed the launch of Mandeville as revolutionary.

Lane said: "These mascots are groundbreaking, not only in the way that they are part of the vision to inspire young people to choose sport but also in the whole approach.

"By launching the Olympic and Paralympic mascots side by side and as part of the same story, LOCOG are showing that the Paralympic Games are truly parallel to the Olympic Games and we applaud and congratulate them on this initiative."

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