THE seal mascot for next year’s European Championships in Glasgow has been ridiculed on social media.
One of the harshest critics of Bonnie the Seal suggested the mascot should be clubbed to death.
The cartoon pup was developed for the 2018 European Championships after consulting more than 100 children aged seven to 12.
Bonnie – wearing a blue top emblazoned with the championships’ logo and pink shorts – was unveiled yesterday with exactly one-year to go until the games kick-off.
But the poor creature quickly attracted savage criticism.
cosmicprincescthulhu said: “I think that seal clubbing should be legal just to club that thing”
coffeechoochoo wrote: “It looks like it wasn’t so much designed but came about from the rejects bin in the fancy dress hire shop.
“But in all fairness it is a mascot it’s not supposed to appeal to me, if the kids like it then it has hit its target market.”
wingnutkj replied: “Less terrifying, but just as crap as Clyde the Thistle (of Fear)
from the Commonwealth Games.”
JW222 commented: “Bonnie and Clyde? Just a bit weird I think.”
However, some Reddit users defended the grey seal pup, saying it looked “cute”.
krisburturion wrote: “I don’t mind it. It’s better than that thistle headed monstrosity Glasgow got for the commonwealth games.”
linzid83 responded: “I think its cute!”
Referring to Partick Thistle Football Club’s mascot, PartisanRat commented: “Well, at least it’s not quite as autoenucleation inducing as Kingsley.”
The organisers for the new European Championships – which bring together athletics, aquatics, cycling, gymnastics, rowing and triathlon with a new golf event – hope Bonnie the Seal will encourage more women and girls into sport.
A spokeswoman for Glasgow 2018 said the mascot was aimed at encouraging children to have a go at sports and activities.
She said: “Bonnie received a very warm welcome from children when she was introduced yesterday and looks forward to meeting children, families, community and sports groups across Scotland over the next year.”
