Commonwealth Games bull getting a new name – shortlist in full

The naming of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games[1] bull has been shortlisted to four possibilities. Scores of people have been submitting name suggestions for the city's much-loved bully boy.

Almost 2,000 contributors have put names forward to name the mechanical bull after it became a massive hit at the sporting events' opening ceremony last summer. Judges have now whittled these names down to the final four.

It will either be called Ozzy, Bostin, Brummie or Boulton. A public vote - which opens today, Tuesday, June 13 - will now decide the final outcome.

It is part of a competition launched by Network Rail and the West Midlands Combined Authority. There’s just seven days to vote before one of the stars of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games[3] is officially named, ahead of its unveiling at Birmingham New Street station next month.

The Raging Bull during the opening ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at the Alexander Stadium The Raging Bull during the opening ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at the Alexander Stadium

Votes can be cast here[4] until 11:59pm on Tuesday, June 20. The bull’s permanent new name will be announced shortly afterwards. The final shortlisting was carried out by the Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, and Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, chair of Network Rail. Both organisations have worked together to save the bull and find a permanent home for it in the heart of Birmingham.

Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, chair of Network Rail, said: “The response to the competition was amazing with nearly 2,000 people sending in their suggestions. It was an honour to work with the West Midlands Mayor Andy Street to choose the final four, but it’s over to the public to make the all-important final decision.

“The bull was an icon of the Commonwealth Games and we just had to save it, and give it a permanent home at Birmingham New Street station.”

What do you think of the names? Let us know in the comments below

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, added: “So the time has come for people to have their say and choose a name for the iconic Bull that so wonderfully captured the spirit of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Will it be Ozzy, Brummie, Bostin or Boulton? The choice is yours.

"I cannot wait to see what the public decide they want tourists and local people to call the Bull as they marvel at it in the brilliant setting of New Street Station in the months and years ahead.”

The finishing touches are being made to the bull by special effects firm Artem, which designed and built the much-loved centrepiece to last year's Birmingham 2022 Opening Ceremony. Once complete it'll be shipped from its base in West London to the West Midlands and rebuilt on the concourse at Birmingham New Street station. A grand unveiling will take place ahead of the first anniversary of the Commonwealth Games.

Stay up to date with the very latest from your Birmingham or West Midlands street or neighbourhood with our Birmingham News[5] Email Updates[6]

References

  1. ^ Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
  2. ^ Oldbury Academy evacuated after bomb threat as police probe call (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
  3. ^ Commonwealth Games (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
  4. ^ here (www.wmca.org.uk)
  5. ^ Birmingham News (data.reachplc.com)
  6. ^ Email Updates (data.reachplc.com)

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