Scottee the Scottie dog has been unveiled as the official mascot for the Glasgow 2019 European Athletics Indoor Championships.
Scottee will play a huge part in welcoming the best of Europe to Glasgow and entertaining the expected sellout crowds at the Emirates Arena from 1-3 March as the European Indoor Championships returns to Glasgow for the first time since 1990.
Around 200 enthusiastic children welcomed Scottee to Crookston Castle Primary School in Glasgow. The excited Scottie dog made a dramatic entrance into the assembly hall although was kept in check by championship ambassador and recently qualified vet Laura Muir.
As Scottee burst in, pupil Rachael Joss couldn’t believe her eyes as 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, hers came out on top spot.
She 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.”
Muir was part of a the panel which had the tough decision of selecting the winning design but the reigning European indoor 1500m and 3000m champion felt the Scottie dog was best suited to fulfil the role, as preparations step up for the championships.
“It was an absolute pleasure to be involved in the selection process and help chose the winning mascot design,” said Muir.
“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!”
Scottie dogs played a memorable role in the Opening Ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Around 40 Scotties led the teams around the Hampden Park stadium during the parade of nations.