The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games mascot revealed – with hilarious nod to unofficial city landmark
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THE Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games look set to be magical - after the official mascot was revealed to be a unicorn.
Finnie - short for the Finnieston area of the city - was unveiled yesterday after 76 children from 24 local schools dreamed up the 'hooved-hypemaster.'
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The new Commonwealth Games mascot Finnie was unveiled at Kelvingrove Art Galleries.
Credit: Alan MacGregor Ewing
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The horn pays homage to the Duke of Wellington statue.
Credit: Alan MacGregor Ewing
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Finnie took part in a race against runner Eilish McColgan.
Credit: Alan MacGregor Ewing
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The mascot was even thrown by judoka Sarah Adlington.
Credit: Alan MacGregor Ewing
Her signature feature is a horn inspired by the famous traffic cone on top of the Duke of Wellington statue outside the Gallery of Modern of Art.
Athletes including Commonwealth 10,000m champion Eilish McColgan and Olympic medallist and Glasgow 2014 Team Scotland flagbearer Eilidh Doyle joined excited kids at Kelvingrove for the big launch.
Maskeen Bhullar, 11, who attends St Patrick's Primary School in Anderston, said: "It has been an extraordinary experience being part of the Mascot Maker team for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
"The last time the Commonwealth Games were held in Glasgow I was one year old. I want to be an athlete one day and take part in a future Commonwealth Games.
"Being involved in creating the mascot has inspired me even more to work towards that dream. To me, the mascot represents my city, Glasgow, and stands as a symbol of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. It's something I'll always feel proud to have contributed to.'
While Aaron Higgins, 17, from Bailleston, is taking part in the Transplant Games next week and said it was an honour to be part of the team that created Finnie.
The athlete also revealed that a unicorn wasn't the only animal considered when they first looked at the mascot.
He said: "My friend John came up with an idea of raccoon at first and then a ferret.
"My other friend said a fish because they thought of the River Clyde.
"We came up with a design similar to Finnie and we couldn't have imagined it would have worked out so well now that she's been unveiled.
Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games: did they leave a lasting legacy?
Team Scotland basketball player Kieron Achara, Judoka medallist Sarah Adlington and Commonwealth Para Bowls gold medallist Pauline Wilson were also in attendance at the launch.
While Finnie even met Scotland's First Minister John Swinney and Glasgow's Lord Provost Jaqueline McLaren, alongside the Mascot Makers.
In a statement, Finnie said: 'I'll be at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games next summer with a grin, a wave, maybe even a wee dance.
"I'm here to turn the nerves into excitement, stir the cheers and help turn every moment into something magic as Glasgow 2026 swings into the city.'
The Mascot Makers took part in a creative workshop at Glasgow City Chamber - teaming with creative agency 999 Design, Scottish actor Libby McArthur and Impact Arts.
The Games, which will take place from July 23 to August 2 next year, are expected to welcome more than 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories.
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