A theft rocked the track and field world championships in Eugene on Tuesday. Mascot “Legend the Bigfoot” was briefly headless. An outrageous event that is now being pursued by the police. Because the Americans don’t understand jokes about their mascots.
Fred Kerley, Allyson Felix or Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce? Sure, they are outstanding athletes, but the secret star of the World Championships in Eugene is two meters tall, has yellow, shaggy fur and is very cheeky. “Legend the Bigfoot” jokes around with the fans and athletes, bullies around, dances or jumps into the water jump of the obstacle runners with a seaman’s twill.
In short: He’s a stage pig, in the guise of a full-grown forest dweller. Americans love their sports mascots, every team has one, the quirkier and funnier the better.
Bigfootgate at Hayward Field Stadium
For that reason alone, what happened at Hayward Field on Tuesday is an outrageous event. Bigfootgate was blown after pictures and videos surfaced on social media of people joking with the stolen head.
An accredited photographer was “removed”
The World Cup Organizing Committee was “not amused” to say the least. “We can confirm that an accredited photographer has been removed from Hayward Field in connection with an investigation into a theft,” a spokeswoman said when asked. It is now a police matter and there is no further comment.
Incidentally, “Legend the Bigfoot” was still up to no good in the stadium on Tuesday – the organizers had a replacement head ready.