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Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 mascot unveiled as Finnie the unicorn

Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 mascot unveiled as Finnie the unicorn

The National5 days ago
Finnie, a unicorn with a traffic cone for a horn, made her first official appearance at the city's famous Finnieston Crane on Wednesday to mark a year until the start of the games.
The mascot was designed with the help of school children from Glasgow and replaces Clyde the Thistle, who was the mascot for the last Glasgow games in 2014.
(Image: Glasgow2026 / Craig Watson) (Image: Glasgow2026 / Craig Watson) More than 3000 athletes are set to compete in a 10-sport programme across four of the city's iconic venues from July 23 to August 2 next year.
It is a cut-down version of the games, after the Australian state of Victoria backed out for financial reasons.
READ MORE: Scottish designer creates tartan for Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games
Finnie's horn is a take on the famous traffic cone placed on the top of the Duke of Wellington statue in Glasgow city centre.
She also has a silver flash in her shoes, which is meant to be a homage to the city's shipbuilding history, as well as star-spangled arms in a nod to the Barrowland Ballroom, and a flowing purple mane which is inspired by the lights that shine on the OVO Hydro venue at night.
(Image: Jeff Holmes) Finnie is set to attend a number of events on Wednesday to mark the one-year countdown to the games, including meeting First Minister John Swinney and a number of athletes such as 10,000m champion Eilish McColgan and Olympic medalist Eilidh Doyle.
In a statement released on her behalf, the mascot said: "I'll be at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games next summer with a grin, a wave, maybe even a wee dance.
READ MORE: Ozzy Osbourne dies 'surrounded by love' at the age of 76, family says
"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."
Glasgow 2026 chief executive Phil Batty said: "Finnie represents everything Glasgow 2026 is about – fun, friendliness and of course that little bit of magic!
"She'll be at the heart of everything that's exciting about these Games, from building up the crowd to hyping the athletes."
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