Scottee the Scottie dog has been unveiled as the new face of the European Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow 2019. Scottee will play a huge part in welcoming some of the world’s leading athletes to Glasgow as they descend on the Emirates Arena between 1-3 March as the Championships return to the iconic city for the first time since 1990.
CROOKSTON CASTLE PRIMARY SCHOOL – GLASGOW
Scottish athletics star Laura Muir helps launch the new European Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow 2019 mascot – Scottee the Scottie dog.
Around 200 enthusiastic children gave the biggest ‘Aww’ as they welcomed Scottee to Crookston Castle Primary School today. The excited Scottie dog made a dramatic entrance but was kept in check by well-known Scottish vet and Championship Ambassador, Laura Muir.
As Scottee burst in, Crookston Castle Primary School pupil, Rachael Joss couldn’t believe her eyes as she noticed her mascot design had been brought to life. Rachael won a competition for local schools in Glasgow to design the Glasgow 2019 Mascot and with over 700 entries, she came out on top spot.
Rachael, who is in class 6B at Crookston Primary, said: “I love Scottee! I still can’t believe that my entry is now the Glasgow 2019 mascot – to see my design brought to life, in front of my whole school, is just overwhelming. I’m already looking forward to seeing Scottee at the Emirates Arena in March.”
Laura helped a dedicated Sporting Panel that had the tough decision of selecting Scottee the Mascot, Laura felt the Scottie dog was best suited to fulfil the role, as preparations step up for the Championships” Laura said: “It was an absolute pleasure to be involved in the selection process and help chose the winning mascot design. Scottee was a favourite from the very start and Rachael’s design was amazing, and to see him today is fantastic, Rachael should be very proud to have played a big part!”
Billy Garrett, Director of Sport and Events at Glasgow Life and Co-Chair of the Glasgow 2019 Steering Committee, said: “Glasgow is a city which has become renowned for hosting some of the world’s major sporting events, and holds citizens at the heart of everything it does. To have a local school pupil in this Scotland’s Year of Young People design the Glasgow 2019 Mascot is fantastic. This will not only will inspire Rachael, but also play a part in inspiring young people across Scotland. I’m looking forward to seeing Scottee at the European Athletics Indoor Championships in March next year.”
Cherry Alexander MBE, Major Events Director at British Athletics and Sport Director for Glasgow 2019, said:“The unveiling of the brilliant Scottee the Scottie dog as the official mascot for Glasgow 2019 is another exciting milestone moment as we move closer to the Championships next March.”
“Engaging youngsters in the local community in the lead-in to a Championship is incredibly important, so to have received over 700 entries has been amazing to see, with Rachael’s design a very worthy and appropriate victor and a character sure to go down very well with the Glasgow crowd.”
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “Events plays a key role in Scotland’s visitor economy and the European Athletics Indoor Championships 2019 will kick off a stellar year of major international sporting events for the country.
“Congratulations to Rachael on her winning design and well done to all the young people from the local schools who entered the competition. Scottee is a great addition to the Championships team and will be sure to keep the crowds entertained during the fantastic three days of competition.”
The city of Glasgow welcomes the return of the Championship as it continues to build its reputation as a truly world class sporting city. The competition will be the second major European event held in Glasgow within twelve months after a hugely successful inaugural European Championships. Glasgow continues to receive global recognition for this reputation with a coveted top five ranking as a sporting destination.
The European Athletics Indoor championship Glasgow 2019 is guaranteed to give the crowd at the Emirates Arena unmissable entertainment. The full competition schedule is now live on www.glasgow2019athletics.comwith tickets available across all events.
