The mascots for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Games were unveiled today in a 35-minute live show at the Bell Centre for Performing Arts in Surrey, B.C.
There are three mascots and one sidekick:
- Miga — a snowboarding sea-bear inspired by the First Nations’ legends of the Pacific Northwest. Miga, described as mischievous and outgoing, is part sea-bear and part orca whale.
- Quatchi — a shy and gentle Sasquatch with a long brown beard and blue earmuffs meant to conjure the mystery and wonder associated with the Canada’s wilderness.
- Sumi — an animal guardian spirit, who flies with the wings of the thunderbird, is described as “a natural born leader with a passion for protecting the environment.”
- Mukmuk — a Vancouver Island marmot sidekick considered an honorary member of the mascot team.
A video introduction to these characters is available in the official 2010 Olympics website.
I’ve been talking to a few friends and their reactions have been mixed. Some of the comments I’ve heard are:
- Sumi sounds like “Sue Me!”
- They look like Japanase cartoon characters
- Quatchi reminds me of the Kokanee Sasquatch
- A fat sasquatch, a one-eyed teddy and a green alien looking thing!
- looks like they were designed by a big committee and crammed all the ideas in, and rejected none
More opinions: Darren, Miss604
What do you think?
The sasquatch is my favourite — it could have been the only one, as far as I’m concerned. But there’s no reason he needs earmuffs and boots. Sasquatches can handle the weather!
Oh Please! It’s Pokemon meets Sasquatch. Or should I saw Hello Kitty meets Sasquatch? Yet again, a dismal VANOC performance.
Can’t wait to see the Team Canada uniforms now…
For goodness sake, couldn’t they have come up with something less juvenile?
These are miles better than the 2006 Winter Olympic mascots, Neve and Gliz, two ice cubes on a blobby body.