Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 mascot unveiled as Finnie the unicorn
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."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
24 minutes ago
- Metro
Strictly star swaps ballroom for Hollywood with movie debut
Olympic champion and former Strictly Come Dancing star Nicola Adams has lined up her debut acting role in an upcoming Hollywood movie. Former professional boxer Nicola, 42, appeared on the 18th series of the BBC dance competition in 2020. She made history when partnered with professional dancer Katya Jones as the show's first-ever same-sex partnership. However, her Strictly dreams were cut abruptly short when they were forced to withdraw during the fourth week of the competition, after Katya tested positive for Covid-19. The two-time Olympic champ will now pursue another dream—turning her hand to acting in an upcoming movie. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. Nicola will star alongside Poppy Delevigne, Jack Kesy, and Bruce Willis's daughter, Rumer, in the allegorical thriller The Gun on Second Street. Talking about her career move, Nicola told The Sun: 'I just want to work with people that are just as hungry as I am. 'I'm not one of those people that just show up and just expect everything to be fine. 'I put in the work, I put in the graft, just as I do as an athlete as well. I want to take it as far as I can in terms of how I grow as an actor, being able to experience different types of roles, playing different characters that really flex my abilities and my ability to be able to dig deep on the emotions that are needed for the more dark characters.' Written and directed by Rohit Karn Batra, its story follows two police officers who are called to a domestic violence dispute on the titular Second Street in Philadelphia. The call-out goes awry when one officer accidentally shoots and kills the other. The film is described as an allegory about the gun crisis in America. At present, Nicola is listed on IMDB, although her character has not been named. Nicola rose to fame during the Olympics in 2012, becoming the first female boxer to win Olympic Gold for Britain. She went on to successfully defend her title at Rio 2016, before winning the title of WBO (World Boxing Organisation) flyweight in 2019. The athlete was forced into an early retirement that same year due to a serious eye injury, having only fought six times as a pro. She returned to the spotlight the very next year as a Strictly hopeful and has since expressed how much she'd love to return as a contestant due to 'unfinished business' after her premature departure. Of her decision to retire, Nicola said in 2019: 'I'm immensely honoured to have represented our country—to win double Olympic gold medals and then the WBO championship belt is a dream come true. 'But it's not without taking its toll on my body, and aside from the expected aches and pains, I've been advised that any further impact to my eye would most likely lead to irreparable damage and permanent vision loss. 'Boxing has always been such an important part of my life—and it always will—but after training every day for over 20 years, my body is quite looking forward to a rest!' More recently, Nicola is reported to have split from her partner of seven years, Ella Baig. The boxer began dating the OnlyFans model, 27, after they met on a night out in 2018. More Trending Now, the couple share two-year-old son, Taylor Nate, who was born via IVF using one of Nicola's eggs. A spokesperson told The Sun in March: 'Nicola and Ella have shared an incredible journey together, full of love, growth, and resilience. 'After much thoughtful reflection and important therapy work, they have made the difficult decision to separate. View More » 'Their priority remains their son, Taylor, and they are committed to co-parenting with love and respect.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Strictly Come Dancing confirms two new professionals after show scandals MORE: Strictly star recalls being confronted about full frontal nudity on OnlyFans MORE: Strictly star Anton Du Beke opens up on wife's 'cruel' diagnosis
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Lennon Miller to Bologna transfer domino that has yet to fall as Celtic told 'truth' about hijack attempt
The Motherwell midfielder is attracting interest from across Europe this summer Bologna are reportedly holding off on a formal bid for Motherwell prospect Lennon Miller as they look to sell on their key stars. The Serie A side and their rivals Udinese are both keen on the £5million-rated teenager - who did not feature in any of the Steelmen's Premier Sports Cup group stage games. Fir Park boss Jens Berthel Askou has admitted he could hand the 18-year-old a first appearance of the season in the Premiership opener against Rangers next Saturday if he remains at the club. And that looks increasingly likely with Gazzetta dello Sport report that Bologna want to offload Dan Ndoye before splurging more cash in the summer market. Napoli and Nottingham Forest are reportedly battling it out for a £43million deal - with the Italian side now pressing pause on an incoming stars as they await a cash injection. That leaves the door open other clubs to snap up the Scotland internatioanal with Udinese and Como among the interested parties - while Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers is understood to be a fan of Miller. And despite his dad Lee stating that Miller Jr is keen on a move away from the Scottish Premiership, the Hoops have been urged to push for a deal before it's too late. Former Parkhead defender Charlie Mulgrew reckons the Scottish champions could land the wonderkid for a low fee, telling Go Radio: "I'd love to see Celtic sign Lennon Miller. "I think that'd be a brilliant bit of business. Play him in one of those number eight roles, ease him into the season, and there's no doubt, he'd be one of Celtic's top performers this year if they get him in. 'Imagine him in that position, getting loads of the ball, using that wand of a right foot to dictate games. It'd be class to watch. 'And truth be told, it wouldn't even be that expensive to get him out of Motherwell, especially with them needing to sell.' You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also on WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Premiership clubs' foreign signings and Gilmour, Ferguson and Hickey going abroad are worrying signs says Bill Leckie
Our man questions what makes domestic managers look overseas for their stars instead of into their academies HOME DISCOMFORTS Premiership clubs' foreign signings and Gilmour, Ferguson and Hickey going abroad are worrying signs says Bill Leckie THERE are no airs and graces about them. They have hunger and ambition. Advertisement 3 Jim Goodwin fielded a Dundee United team without a single Scottish starter on Thursday Credit: PA 3 Billy Gilmour moved to England then to Italy to get his chance in senior football Credit: Reuters 3 Lewis Ferguson started out at Aberdeen but moved to Bologna instead of staying in Scotland Credit: Getty They appreciate the chance they've been given. Jim Goodwin's explanation of why he put his European hopes in the hands of a busload of foreigners should make every young Scottish footballer sit up and take notice. Advertisement But in the wake of a night when he fielded the first team in Dundee United's competitive history without a homegrown starter, there was another line that should also have cut every chairman, manager and coach in the land to the quick. The one where he admitted his imports 'aren't used to being pampered by academies'. Wow. What an indictment of a system that was supposed to feed our national sport for generations to come, but which is instead providing us with little more than scraps. If that sounds harsh, then check these numbers from games involving our top 12 teams over the past few days. Rangers started two Scots — John Souttar and Findlay Curtis — against Panathinaikos in the Champions League on Tuesday. Advertisement Celtic went with four against Ajax the following evening in Tony Ralston, Dale Murray, Kieran Tierney and Callum McGregor, but of those, only the last two will be first picks once the real stuff starts. Hibs fielded four in the Europa League on Thursday night, Aberdeen had two against Ipswich on Friday. Hearts had six starting Scots against Sunderland on Saturday, while Killie had seven against East Fife and Livi six against Kelty Hearts. Huge thunderstorms at Ajax vs Celtic St Mirren and Dundee played three each against Ayr and Montrose, and Motherwell used just the two in Friday's friendly against Hertha Berlin. Of our entire top flight, only newly-promoted Falkirk kept the flag properly flying, playing ten Scots against Spartans on Saturday along with Brad Spencer, born in London to a Glaswegian dad. Advertisement That means of 132 players lining up at kick-off, only 50 qualify for that national team we're meant to be supplying. So we can grumble about the route Goodwin and United have gone down, as we've heard so many do since that Conference League tie last Thursday. Or maybe we can look at the key reasons why it's getting tougher and tougher for homegrown talent to make it on their own doorstep. Reasons which, while hard to hear and harder still to swallow, the Tannadice gaffer appears to have hit squarely on the head with his reasoning behind his signing policy. One which has taken him to the Netherlands, Croatia, Finland, Macedonia, Sweden and Australia rather than Netherlee, Cupar, Falkirk, Montrose, Sauchie and Auchterarder. Advertisement Because, for me at least, in bigging up the positive traits of a job-lot who fly in the face of everything the legendary Jim McLean put in place during the club's heyday, Goodwin is also giving our academies and the sort of players they produce their character. What he seems to be saying is that our youngsters DO have airs and graces about them, that they DON'T display the same hunger and ambition, that maybe they aren't as appreciative of the chance they've been given. Most damning of all, though? Have YOU got a point for Kris Boyd? Kris Boyd and Roger Hannah chew over the big talking points each week SOMETHING you've just got to get off your chest from the weekend action? A burning Scottish football talking point you can't wait to bring up with Kris Boyd and Roger Hannah? SunSport's GoBallistic show wants to hear from you! So why not help set the Scottish football agenda for the week ahead! Have your say on the game's big topics by emailing us on: GoBallistic@ It's YOUR turn to Go Ballistic! That they've got used to a set-up that pampers them. I wouldn't imagine for a moment he's claiming our academies aren't fit for purpose. Advertisement I also wouldn't dare suggest that he doesn't believe there are any good Scottish kids coming through. But it seems crystal clear that he doesn't believe they're producing the right kind of talent, physically or mentally, for our domestic game. Ask yourself how many are playing regularly for your team. Then ask yourself why so many, from Billy Gilmour to Lewis Ferguson to Aaron Hickey and more besides, have decided the only way to achieve their potential is go abroad and pretty much learn the game from scratch. Of course, Scottish teams playing without any Scottish players is nothing new. Advertisement It was March 2000 when Rangers did it for the first time, starting a 0-0 draw against St Johnstone with an Overseas XI. Stefan Klos, Lorenzo Amoruso, Arthur Numan, Andrei Kanchelskis, Gio van Bronckhorst, Rod Wallace, Jorg Albertz, Claudio Reyna, Tony Vidmar, Seb Rozental and Tugay. Difference was, you could see that coming from a mile off. Rangers fans unfurl giant tifo ahead of Russell Martin's first match It had seemed a natural next step ever since Graeme Souness arrived and more especially once Dick Advocaat took charge. But to see a once self-sufficient club like United go full-on foreign for such a big game? Well, that should pull us all up a bit sharp. Advertisement As, for that matter, should the shrinking number of Scots playing on a regular basis the higher we go up the food chain. If it works as well for Jim Goodwin as it has for, say Stephen Robinson at St Mirren, where he's identified a certain mix of power, pace and stature from England, Ireland and now Jamaica that he doesn't believe is available up here, then good luck to both of them, because their only job is to win games. If seeing Scottish players fritter into the minority pretty much right across the Premiership doesn't worry anyone and everyone who's invested in our game, though? Well, don't say you weren't warned when we run out for a World Cup qualifier one day with 11 guys who all qualified through their grannies. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
