Do you know your Commonwealth Games Mascots?

While the idea of mascots dates all the way back to the late 1800s, when sports teams in the USA used live cattle and even a bulldog called Handsome Dan to unite sports fans, it wasn’t until the mid-1960s when the idea of an event mascot came to pass. A lion called World Cup Willie inspired a nation and, perhaps, the England football team themselves as they romped to victory in the tournament. 

1970 – 1974: The ‘unofficial’ years

Inspired by the Union-flag wearing feline, the Commonwealth Games followed suit just four years later, with Wee Mannie. However, the Saltire hat-wearing Haggis was sadly never officially adopted as the mascot for the Edinburgh 1970 Games. 

Even the Scottish team didn’t throw their weight behind the unofficial Haggis and they instead chose a huge teddy bear wearing a vest, shorts and a tartan scarf. It was named Dunky Dick, after one of the team coaches, and was carried around the Meadowpark Stadium by Lachie Stewart after his 10,000 metre victory. 

Not to be outdone, Christchurch 1974 also created an unofficial mascot and opted for a Kiwi made out of sheep skin. Named Shiwi, the curious creature squeaked under pressure! 

1978 – 1990: The ‘native animal’ years

With the demand for mascots growing, the Commonwealth Games Federation gave its official blessing for the first time to Keyano, a grizzly bear who became the furry face of the Edmonton 1978 Games. Modelled on the Swan Hills Grizzly Bear, which is only found in the Alberta region of Canada, Keyano’s name meant ‘unity and brotherhood’ – a perfect moniker for the first official Games mascot. 

By 1982, host countries were fully leaning into national emblems and cultural references. Brisbane adopted Matilda the kangaroo and really went to town on making her the centre of attention. 

Standing over 13 metres tall and weighing six tonnes, she was built on a forklift truck and could turn her head, wiggle her ears and blink her eyes. But that wasn’t all – she also doubled up as an Aussie trojan horse and secretly transported a small army of ‘baby kangaroos’ into the opening ceremony. Once inside the stadium, a door in her pouch opened and 20 children dressed as Joeys ran out to take part in a trampoline display. Having achieved worldwide fame, she enjoyed her retirement at the entrance to a Gold Coast waterpark before taking her place beside Bruce Highway.

The Edinburgh 1982 Games chose a lovable Scottish Terrier called Mac as the official mascot and he immediately charmed the Commonwealth by sending ‘MacValentines’ cards to each competing country, five months before the Games kicked off. 

He was so beloved by children and adults alike, that a Scottish Terrier appeared again at the opening ceremony for Glasgow 2014, leading out each nation and territory in the Athlete Parade. 

Auckland returned to the Kiwi in 1990 with Goldie. The gold-feathered, yellow-beaked national bird had previously been used as the New Zealand team mascot at various events, but was promoted to official mascot for these Games and appeared wearing the country’s famous black kit

1994: The Mascot comes alive

1994 was a turning point for Commonwealth Games mascots, as it was the first year  that a mascot came to life , with Klee Wyck, an Orca Whale, being able to walk around and interact with fans. Adopted for the Victoria 1994 Commonwealth Games, it was also the first time a Host City created a backstory for their mascot, and a popular children’s book introduced other characters including Hagema, the evil witch, who kidnapped Klee Wyck’s brother and his Commonwealth Games medal. 

1998 – 2002: Mascots become the reflection of the Host City

At the Kuala Lumpur 1998 Commonwealth Games, an Orangutan named Wira was chosen because she represented the culture of Malaysia and represented the friendliness of the local people, as well as the charm, intelligence and sporting ability of the Athletes. 

In 2002, Manchester followed Kuala Lumpur’s lead with a mascot that reflected their city. Kit, the Devon Rex cat wasn’t strictly a local animal, but the Host City felt it had all the hallmarks of a typical Mancunian: “young, vibrant, friendly, dynamic, a little bit mischievous and lots of fun.” And just to emphasise the point, Manchester gave Kit a sidekick called ‘Mad Ferret’, who was inspired by Manchester’s music scene, boasting a Liam Gallagher-esque swagger.

2006 - 2010: The ‘mascots for Good’ era

With increased attention on the effects of humankind on the planet and its inhabitants, Host Cities began to turn their attention towards using mascots to deliver important messages. 

2006 saw Melbourne choosing a Red-tailed Black Cockatoo called Karak, designed to promote the protection of its environment. Delhi followed suit in 2010 by highlighting the plight of Indian Tigers. Shera was introduced with a mission to serve as “a reminder of the fragile environment he lives in and our responsibility towards the protection of his ecosystem.”

2014 – today: Larger than life characters

With Mascots becoming a huge focal point of modern Commonwealth Games, Glasgow chose a fun, larger-than-life character that saw the first non-animal to take centre stage. Clyde, a seven-foot tall Thistle, was designed by 12-year-old Beth Gilmour for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and remains active today as the mascot of Team Scotland. 

With the Games returning to Australia in 2018, firm favourite, Borobi – a multicoloured, surfing Koala – was named as the official Games Mascot. The loveable bear’s name was inspired by the dialect of the indigenous Yugambeh people, and his paws were covered in indigenous markings representing each of the Commonwealth nations and territories. 

Not to be outdone, Birmingham turned the colour dial up to 11 for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, with Perry the Bull boasting all the colours of the rainbow in a hexagonal pattern designed to represent the coming together of the regions of the Commonwealth in equal partnership with the diverse communities of Birmingham and the West Midlands.

And then, there’s Finnie. Named after the Finnieston Crane that towers above the Glasgow 2026 venues on the bank of the River Clyde, Finnie is a magical unicorn who reflects the sights and sounds of Glasgow. Will she become a fan favourite just like her predecessors? We think she’s already there…