Why Do We Have Mascots in the Olympics?
Olympic mascots are much more than just oversized masses of fur. Their involvement in the games runs the gamut from promoting the Olympic spirit to educating and entertaining the fans.
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History
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According to mapsofworld.com, the first Olympic mascot was Waldi the Dachshund. He made his debut at the 1972 Summer Olympic Games in Munich, Germany.
Combinations
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Today mascots are usually a combination of two or more animals, figures or characters from the host country.
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Duties
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Mascots are commissioned with being the biggest cheerleaders for the Olympic Games. They must embody the true Olympic spirit of emphasizing participation over winning. Their image also represents the history and culture of the host city.
Selection process
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According to arethathrows.com, mascots are usually chosen by the host city's local organizing committee. Local citizens often get to participate in the naming of the mascots.
Fun Fact
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The Grenoble Summer Olympics in 1968 had an "unofficial" mascot: Schuss, a cartoon character wearing skis. He never got the privilege of being made into a plush (a big, usually furry costume with a real person inside). However, according to olympic.org, he did show up on pins and plastic toys.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Tama Leaver
