The two cyclopes have been given their names from historical Olympic references (see below) and now they are on a journey to meet as many young people as possible before the Games begin in just over two years' time.

London 2012 Chair Sebastian Coe said: “We’ve created our mascots for children. They will connect young people with sport and tell the story of our proud Olympic and Paralympic history. By linking young people to the values of sport, Wenlock and Mandeville will help inspire kids to strive to be the best they can be.”

Watch the animated film below which explains Wenlock and Mandeville’s story, interact with them on their own London 2012 website, and also visit the Get Set website to win the chance to have the mascots come to your college.

Wenlock’s name is inspired by the Shropshire village of Much Wenlock where the ‘Wenlock Games’ was one of the inspirations that led the founder of the modern Olympic movement Baron Pierre de Coubertin to create the Olympic Games.

Mandeville’s name is inspired by Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire. In the 1940s, Dr Ludwig Guttmann established a new spinal unit at the hospital to help former soldiers suffering from spinal cord injuries. Looking for ways to inspire those in his care, Dr Guttmann encouraged his patients to take up sport, leading to the formation of the Stoke Mandeville Games, widely recognised as a forerunner of the modern Paralympic movement.