The Tribune

A DESIGN competition engaging students aged nine to 18 to design and name an original mascot for the 2014 IAAF World Relays commenced this week. The competition is slated to end on January 17.

The mascot will be a significant personality in the run-up to and during the relays as it will be used to welcome visitors and spectators, visit schools and community events and appear on signage.

Keith Parker, the local organising committee chairman for IAAF World Relays Bahamas 2014, said this is an exciting opportunity for young people across the Bahamas to get involved with the IAAF World Relays Bahamas 2014 and contribute a lasting legacy.

“There are less than 200 days to go to the opening ceremony of what will be an outstanding event and giving our young people the opportunity to impact on how the event is marketed across country and the world is the perfect way in which to mark such an important milestone.”

To enter the competition, students must submit a drawing, painting or collage and a suggestion for the name. The mascot must be culturally Bahamian. It can be an imaginary character, animal or person. It also must be easily recognisable and appealing to promote the IAAF World Relays Bahamas 2014.

The design cannot resemble any known characters, mascots or cartoon characters. The mascot cannot be designed using graphics or computer generated images. The design will be judged based on creativity, usability and relevancy.

The prize for the ultimate winner will consist of an iPad, four VIP tickets to the IAAF World Relays Bahamas 2014, plus $500 cash to be used towards school supplies or tuition and $500 will be awarded to the Art Department of the student’s school.

This ultimate winner will receive extensive public relations and media exposure and their winning design will be transformed into the IAAF Bahamas World Relays 2014 Mascot.

The second runner-up will receive IAAF World Relays Bahamas 2014 merchandise packs/goody bags plus $250 cash to be used towards school supplies or tuition and $250 will be awarded to the Art Department of the student school.

The third runner-up will receive IAAF World Relays Bahamas 2014 merchandise packs/goody bags plus $125 cash to be used towards school supplies or tuition and $125 will be awarded to the Art Department of the student’s school.

“The World Relays will show the world how vibrant and welcoming The Bahamas is and now more than ever it’s important that we involve people and communities from across The Bahamas in the excitement of the events. I would encourage all young people to get involved with this competition and play their part as we get even closer to the opening ceremony in 2014,” Parker said.

The IAAF World Relays Bahamas 2014 will welcome more than 1,000 athletes and team officials from 40 nations during May 24-25 in the Bahamas as it is the first country to host the event. The first edition of the relays will be an historic occasion for the Bahamas.

Entries can be emailed in pdf or jpeg format to mascotdesign@bahamasworldrelays.org or dropped off at the LOC administration office at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium.

For full details of the competition, including how to enter, please visit

http://www.bahamasworldrelays.

org, 2014. The winner will be announced on January 27, 2014.