Multi-coloured bull, Perry is the first mascot at a multi-sport games to be created in Augmented Reality.
The official mascot for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games has been revealed as Perry, a bull adorned with a patchwork of multi-coloured hexagons.
Perry becomes the first mascot at any multi-sport Games who will be brought to life through augmented reality, giving people the opportunity to #PoseWithPerry using their mobile phone camera, and via a special filter on Facebook and Instagram.
Users can summon an animated, 3D version of Perry into their living rooms, pose for pictures with him and can share their photos on social media.
Perry is inspired by the design of ten year old Emma Lou, the winner of a national design competition which took place over the summer of 2020. The competition tasked children aged 5-15 with creating a mascot that reflects the identity, heritage and culture of Birmingham and the West Midlands.
Perry is named after the Perry Barr area of Birmingham, the home of the Alexander Stadium, which will host the athletics events at the Games, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies. The stadium is undergoing a £72 million transformation in time for the Games.
The mascot’s rainbow coloured hexagons represent the coming together of the Commonwealth in equal partnership with the diverse communities of Birmingham and the West Midlands at the Games in 2022.
The medal that Perry is wearing references Birmingham’s iconic Jewellery Quarter, while his sports kit includes blue, red and yellow stripes, a nod to the colours of the official flag of the city and its motto, Forward.
An animated video telling the story of Perry’s personality and characteristics has also been unveiled. The animation is narrated by comedian Guz Khan, creator and star of BBC sitcom Man Like Mobeen, a comedic take on life in inner city Birmingham.
A range of mascot clothing and accessories are available to buy from from the newly launched Birmingham 2022 online shop – www.shop.birmingham2022.com. A range of Birmingham 2022 clothing is also available, while a Perry plush toy and a wide range of other products will be available to buy this summer.
“Perry is everything I hoped our mascot would be and more: bright, colourful, energetic and totally representative of modern Birmingham and the West Midlands,” commented Ian Reid, chief executive of Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. “Perry celebrates diversity, community, and our region’s heritage as well as its future.
“From today (22 March), Perry becomes a powerful icon for Birmingham 2022 all over the world, and you’ll be seeing a lot more of him during the countdown to the Games. He is a symbol of the coming together of the Commonwealth in Birmingham, and I am sure young and old will love him as much as I do.”
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