Faster, higher and stranger: 10 most unusual mascots of the Olympic Games (11 photos)

Sometimes fantasy leads authors into such creative jungles that it is not always possible to understand what kind of creature is in front of you.





Traditionally, every year in which the Olympic Games fall, designers draw mascot symbols of the games. Often some cute animal is chosen as a mascot. But for some designers this is not enough, and they go further.

London, 2012



This creature's name is Wenlock. According to the design agency Iris, Wenlock is the last drop of steel that went into the construction of the Olympic Stadium in London. And his big eye is a camera lens.

Turin, 2006





The blue creature's name is Nele, he is a snowball. And the beautiful thing is Glitz, and she is a piece of ice. Together they symbolize winter sports.

Athens, 2004



These adorable yellow characters... are they gods? In any case, it is to the Olympian gods that their names refer. The character in red is named Phoebus, and the heroine in blue is Athena.

Atlanta, 1996



No one knows who or what Izzy is. He is a kind of embodiment of the concept of “information technology”. Izzy doesn't just have trouble understanding what he is. For a long time, they couldn’t choose a name for the character, and Izzy’s design was constantly changing.

Barcelona, ​​1992



The peculiarity of the Barcelona Shepherd Coby (yes, he is a dog) is in his simplified design. His muzzle consists of several lines, and its friendly neutral expression never changes. Kobe also has a lot of costumes.

Albertville, 1992



And this is Magic. He is a star and cube shaped gnome. Gnome Cubestar. The name Magica was chosen through long research, funded by the Organizing Committee of the 1992 Games, but they came to nothing. The name itself found the star-cubic character when the author of the talisman, Philippe Mairesse, rereading the description of his creation, noticed how often the word “magique”, that is, “magical”, was repeated in it.

Nagano, 1998



These are Snowlets' owls. The name comes from the words “Snow”, that is, “snow”, and “Let’s”.

Innsbruck, 1976



Snowman Schneemandl. As befits a snowman, he has coal eyes, a carrot nose and... a Tyrolean hat.

Munich, 1972



Nowadays, an animal as a mascot is commonplace, but the colorful striped dachshund Waldi was the first. We chose this particular breed because of this. that in Bavaria these dogs are considered a symbol of endurance, perseverance and dexterity.

Grenoble, 1968



This is Schuss. He is the first ever Olympic mascot. This is a man on skis, frozen in a descent position. And yes, if you had the idea in your head that it was invented in a hurry, you are absolutely right. Designer Aline Lafargue was given just one night to come up with the sketch.