Olympic Mascots

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Generally, the Olympics mascot is an animal or human figure representing the cultural heritage of the host country and was first introduced in the year 1968. Schuss, a cartoon-like character on skis, was the unofficial mascot of the 1968 Winter Games in Grenoble. However, the first official mascot in the history of Summer Olympic made its appearance at the 1972 Munich Summer Games, ever since Olympic Mascots have become a main element of the Summer Games. As a unique and popular image full of vitality, a mascots is able to materialize the Olympic spirit, communicate the concepts of each Summer Games, promote the history and culture of the host city and create a festive atmosphere for the Games. Mascots act as a significant vehicle for communicating the Olympic spirit to the general public, especially children and youth. Whatever shapes they have, they fundamentally share a creative rationale, that is, the mascots must be able to convey the theme of the Summer Games, showcase the distinctive geographical features, history and culture unique to the host city.




With the motto of spreading prosperity, happiness, passion, health and good luck across the continents, Fuwa, 2008 Beijing Summer Games Mascots, offers a warm invitation for the 2008 Summer Games.

Beibei: Beibei is known to be gentle and purest among Fuwa and reflects the blue Olympic rings. The fish and water designs are symbols of prosperity and harvest in Chinese culture and art. Beibei reflects the strength in water sports.

Jingjing: Jingjing, one of the five dolls of 2008 Beijing Summer Games Mascots, symbolizes blessing of happiness wherever he goes. The lotus designs in Jingjing's headdress represent the lush green forest and man’s harmonious relationship with nature. Jingjing reflects the black Olympic rings. He shows the strength in athletics.

Huanhuan: Better known as big brother among Fuwa, Huanhuan represents red Olympic rings. As a child of fire, he symbolizes the Olympic Flame and the passion of sport. It is believed that wherever he goes he inspires all with the passion to run faster, jump higher and be stronger. Huanhuan reflects the excellence in ball games.

Yingying: Yingying as a symbol of being fast and agile represents the yellow Olympic rings. It reflects the strength in track and field events.

Nini:Nini symbolize the infinite sky and spread good-luck as a blessing. It represents the green Olympic rings and reflects strength in gymnastics.

Ollie, Syd and Millie, designed by Matthew Hattan, are three native Australian animals chosen as mascots for the Sydney 2000 Games. They represent earth, air and water."Olly", a kookaburra, epitomizes the Olympic spirit of generosity and universal generosity (from Olympic); "Syd", a platypus, represents the environment and captures the vigor and energy of Australia and its people (from Sydney); "Millie", an echidna, is a techno-whiz and information guru, with all the facts and figures at her fingertips (from Millennium).

Izzy mascot of the 1996 Olympic Summer Games in Atlanta--was the first mascot designed by computer. It was an amorphous abstract fantasy figure. It carried the name Izzy, derived from "What is it?" because no one seemed to know exactly what Izzy really was.

Waldi--mascot of 1972 Olympic Summer Games in Munich, Germany

Waldi, the dachshund. Very popular in Bavaria, but he also possesses qualities which are indispensable to an athlete: resistance, tenacity and agility. These are among the reasons he was chosen to be the mascot. He was dressed in pastel colors to express the gaiety and joy of the Olympic festival.

For the 1988 Olympic Games, which was held in an Oriental country, a little tiger designed by Kim Hyun with typical Oriental color was chosen as the mascot, who was named Hodori. Hodori was designed as an amicable tiger, which portrays the friendly and hospitable traditions of the Koreans. Ho is derived from the Korean word for tiger, and Dori is a diminutive for boys in Korea. The friendly tiger of Seoul wore the Olympic Rings around its neck, much like a medal, while sporting a traditional Korean dance hat on its head.

Sam the Eagle--mascot of the 1984 Olympic Summer Games in Los Angeles, USA

Designed by Walt Disney, Sam is a cartooned Eagle with sheer American characteristics who wears the dress of the legendary American Uncle Sam with a star-spangled background in red, white and blue, typical colors of USA. Commercial use of olympic mascots was initiated henceforth.

Misha--mascot of the 1980 Olympic Summer Games in Moscow

The Moscow Olympic bear Misha was developed by the renowned illustrator of children's books Victor Chizikov. Misha became an instant international success

Amik--mascot of the 1976 Olympic Summer Games in Montreal, Canada

It was a beaver called Amik, a name taken from the Algonquian language, which is the most popular language amongst the American Indians in Canada. Amik means beaver.The beaver symbolizes hard work

Cobi -- mascot of the 1992 Olympic Summer Games in Barcelona, Spain

The mascot was a dog named Cobi. The Barcelona Organizing Committee for Olympics had specially produced a TV series for Cobi to communicate the spirits of the Games. The Valencian artist, Javier Mariscal, created the dog Cobi as official mascot of the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.