Olympic mascots are usually used to advertise the games, for the younger audience, especially toddlers and children
An Olympic Mascot is a fictional character, which is usually based on a native animal of the area in which the games are held or human figures, that represent the cultural heritage of an area.
History of Olympic Mascots
Schuss was the first Olympic Mascot, which was used for Grenoble Olympics Games was held in 1968. The mascot was based on a little man on skis, and was designed in an abstract form and was also painted in the colors of the French flag i.e., Blue, Red and White. But the first Olympic mascot was used during the 1972 Summer Olympics which was held in Munich.
The mascot was of Waldi, a Dashchund dog. Its a popular dog breed in Bavaria and it represented characteristics of an athlete such as resistance and agility. The first Olympic mascot was quite successful and it led to an idea of using Olympics mascots as a symbol for the games.
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List of All Olympic Mascots
Let’s have a look on the Olympic Mascots which have been used during both the Summer and Winter Olympics:
1. Smoky: Used during the 1932 Summer Olympics and is based on Scottish Terrier.
2. Red Jaguar: Used during the 1968 Summer Olympics.
3. Schneemann: Used during the 1976 Winter Olympics and is based on Snowman.
4. Amik: Used during the 1976 Summer Olympics and is based on a beaver.
5. Roni: Used during the 1980 Winter Olympics and is based on a raccoon.
6. Misha: Used during the 1980 Summer Olympics and is based on a bear cub.
7. Vucko: Used during the 1984 Winter Olympics and is based on little wolf.
8. Sam: Used during the 1984 Summer Olympics and is based on a bald eagle.
9. Hidy and Howdy: Used during the 1988 Winter Olympics and is based on two polar bears.
10. Hodori: Used during the 1988 Summer Olympics and is based on tiger cubs.
11. Magique: Used during the 1992 Winter Olympics and is based on snow imps.
12. Cobi: Used during the 1992 Summer Olympics and is based on a catalan sheepdog.
13. Hakon and Kristin: Used during the 1994 Winter Olympics and is based on two Norweigan children.
14. Izzy: Used during the 1996 Summer Olympics and is based on an abstract figures.
15. The Snowlets (Sukki, Nokki, Lekki and Tsukki): Used during the 1998 Winter Olympics and is based on four owls.
16. Olly: Used during the 2000 Summer Olympics and is based on Kookaburra.
17. Powder: Used during the 2002 Winter Olympics and is based on snowshoe hare.
18. Athena and Phevos: Used during the 2004 Summer Olympics and is based on a brother and sister.
19. Neve and Gliz: Used during the 2006 Winter Olympics and is based on a himanized snowball and ice cube.
20. The Fuwa (Beibei, JingJing, Huanhuan, Yingying, Nini): Used during the 2008 Summer Olympics and is based on a giant panda.
21. Miga:Used during the 2010 Winter Olympics and is based on mythical sea bear.
22. Wenlock: Used during the 2012 Summer Olympics and is based on a drop of steel with a camera for an eye.
23. Bely Mishka: Used during the 2014 Winter Olympics and is based on a polar bear.
24. Vinicius: Used during the 2016 Summer Olympics and is based on a hybrid animal representing all Brazilian mammals.
25. Soohorang: Used during the 2018 Winter Olympics and is based on a White tiger,
26. Miraitwa: Used during the 2020 Summer Olympics and is based on a robot with blue check patterns, which has been adapted from the official.
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