with sickening inevitability, the whispering campaign begins

[malmo]

... the rumours surface and grow louder and suddenly we reach the controversial stage we are at now, with people openly maintaining that Berlino the Bear is not, in fact, a bear.

“He doesn’t look like a bear,” people are saying. “He doesn’t sound like a bear. He doesn’t run like one, either.” And thus the unsubstantiated assertions thrive, the unhelpful stereotypes get wielded and, instead of rejoicing in the magic of Berlino, we are plunged into dark doubt and insinuation.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 808200.ece

[AS]

Nicely done...

[26mi235]

[IFK_Vaxjo]

Good one!

[polevaultpower]

I loved the "Ich bin ein Bolt" and "Ich bin ein Berlino" bibs/shirts that Berlino and Bolt wore

[SQUACKEE]

Anyone how can run full blast into a cart and not only not get hurt but pop right up is on something. If you look at his head snap forward, its enough to kill the average mascot, reminded me of the Zapruter fim.

[Marlow]

Berlino #1

This guy - dead last



in the mascot sweepstakes

[TrackDaddy]

:roll:

http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/discus ... &start=360

[richxx87]

With all due respect, and I don't want to be rude to Berlino or her ilk, but I've known some bears in my time. I've known them intimately.

Now, I don't want to cast aspersions here, but self-respecting bears are just not as "forward" as Berlino -- even with track stars. Let's just leave it at that.

[rasb]

Yes, I agree, it's time for species testing as well. Thankfully we can outrun most two legged creatures, unless there is still the occasional Velociraptor around. Surely, they would be picked out at their Trials, though.

[tandfman]

The subject of this thread has just been named Mascot of the Year!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/no ... rlino-bear

[gh]

Interesting. I was told by people in Berlin management that it wasn't just one guy.

[jamese1045]

Re: with sickening inevitability, the whispering campaign be

... the rumours surface and grow louder and suddenly we reach the controversial stage we are at now, with people openly maintaining that Berlino the Bear is not, in fact, a bear.

“He doesn’t look like a bear,” people are saying. “He doesn’t sound like a bear. He doesn’t run like one, either.” And thus the unsubstantiated assertions thrive, the unhelpful stereotypes get wielded and, instead of rejoicing in the magic of Berlino, we are plunged into dark doubt and insinuation.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 808200.ece

Good piece. I wasn't sure whether it was written by Giles Smith--or if the credit was for the photo. Anyway it was fun to read--good reporting and style.

[Davidokun]

Re: with sickening inevitability, the whispering campaign be

I wasn't sure whether it was written by Giles Smith--or if the credit was for the photo.

Evidently, he's a columnist.