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He's been the breakout star of these world championships, delighting audiences at the Olympiastadion with his high jinks and high energy celebrations. Yup, Berlino the Bear has made almost as big an impact as Usain Bolt.
The emails and Tweets have been arriving in their thousands, asking me to conduct the definitive sit-down interview with Berlino - his hopes and dreams, how he likes to kick back, whether there's a Mrs (or Mr) Berlino on the scene.
Sadly, since he's both (a) an eight feet tall bear, and (b) mute, this has proved impossible.
In its place, we've put together a little video package of Berlino's Best Bits. (Apologies to non-UK users - rights regulations prevent us spreading the message to foreign climes).
Of course, it's not all been plain sailing for the big guy. At the start of the championships his enthusiastic attempts to join in with the men's 10,000m had traditionalists throwing their stopwatches down in disgust.
But Berlino is nothing if not a battler. This is a bear who doesn't know the word defeat. To be fair he doesn't know any words (see the earlier mute revelation) but you get my drift.
First it was a (bear) hug with pole vault champion Anna Rogowska. Next up came a little dance-and-drop with javelin gold medallist Steffi Nerius. By the time he was hoisted onto the broad back of discus champ Robert Harting, his cult status was no longer in doubt.
Later there came the poses with Usain - who had sported a t-shirt with the words "Ich bin ein Berlino" scrawled on it in biro - followed by a 50m race down the back straight in the aftermath of Bolt's 200m demolition.
None of it, however, can compare with the piggyback ride he gave new 400m hurdles champion Melaine Walker. Berlino - there's a hurdle in the way. Berlino - you're getting mighty close to.... ooops.
Truly, we shall not see his like again.
Not until the next major sporting event, anyway.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tomfordyc..._him_or_l.html
The emails and Tweets have been arriving in their thousands, asking me to conduct the definitive sit-down interview with Berlino - his hopes and dreams, how he likes to kick back, whether there's a Mrs (or Mr) Berlino on the scene.
Sadly, since he's both (a) an eight feet tall bear, and (b) mute, this has proved impossible.
In its place, we've put together a little video package of Berlino's Best Bits. (Apologies to non-UK users - rights regulations prevent us spreading the message to foreign climes).
Of course, it's not all been plain sailing for the big guy. At the start of the championships his enthusiastic attempts to join in with the men's 10,000m had traditionalists throwing their stopwatches down in disgust.
But Berlino is nothing if not a battler. This is a bear who doesn't know the word defeat. To be fair he doesn't know any words (see the earlier mute revelation) but you get my drift.
First it was a (bear) hug with pole vault champion Anna Rogowska. Next up came a little dance-and-drop with javelin gold medallist Steffi Nerius. By the time he was hoisted onto the broad back of discus champ Robert Harting, his cult status was no longer in doubt.
Later there came the poses with Usain - who had sported a t-shirt with the words "Ich bin ein Berlino" scrawled on it in biro - followed by a 50m race down the back straight in the aftermath of Bolt's 200m demolition.
None of it, however, can compare with the piggyback ride he gave new 400m hurdles champion Melaine Walker. Berlino - there's a hurdle in the way. Berlino - you're getting mighty close to.... ooops.
Truly, we shall not see his like again.
Not until the next major sporting event, anyway.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tomfordyc..._him_or_l.html