TORONTO (AP) 鈥� A red noisemaker shaped like a maple leaf has become all the rage in Toronto during the World Cup.
The 鈥淐anadian clapper鈥� has been handed for free out at BMO Field and the city鈥檚 fan festival ahead of Canada鈥檚 group-stage matches. The handheld items, measuring 4 by 7 inches (10 by 18 centimeters), can’t be bought in stores, making them a must-have for fans of Les Rouges.
鈥淭hese are amazing. So, let鈥檚 go Canada,鈥� Toronto resident Ryan Fonte said after being handed one by a fan festival volunteer ahead of Wednesday鈥檚 match against Switzerland.
The three-piece, fan-like clappers are made from recycled material, said Sharon Bollenbach, Toronto鈥檚 World Cup executive director.
FIFA presented them to fans who attended , on June 12 in Toronto, then donated thousands to the FIFA Fan Festival. Volunteers there handed them out to attendees ahead of watch parties held for the second and third group-stage matches.
Cedric Osagie looked down into his hand after a volunteer placed the red noisemaker there. The Ottawa resident wasn鈥檛 sure what to call it.
鈥淚 have absolutely no idea what the name of it is called,鈥� Osagie said. 鈥淚鈥檒l imagine it鈥檚 called a 鈥榗lapper.鈥欌��
But he knew what to do with it.
鈥淲hen Canada does something cool, I will do this,鈥� Osagie said, clapping together the pieces. 鈥淲hen we score, I will shake it.鈥�
Bollenbach said the little clappers have 鈥渉ad a big impact鈥� and 鈥渃reated a real buzz and an interest and lots of noise around the city of Toronto.鈥�
Plus, she said, they鈥檙e a symbol of the national pride that has swelled thanks to Canada鈥檚 and , with the team advancing to the tournament鈥檚 knockout stage for the first time.
Not to mention, Canada Day is right around the corner, on July 1.
鈥淚 think that鈥檚 what the World Cup is all about,鈥� Bollenbach said, 鈥渢hat we can celebrate our cultures, we can celebrate our heritage and be truly Canadian proud that we are hosting the world.鈥�
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