Olympics: Rio 2016 organisers unveil mascots for Games
Last Updated: 24/11/14 4:09pm
The mascots for the 2016 Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games have been unveiled.
The mascots, whose names will be decided by a public poll closing in mid-December, are inspired by Brazil’s native flora, fauna and animal life, the local organising committee has announced.
A bright yellow cat-like figure, which also combines elements of monkeys and birds, is the mascot for the Olympics.
"The Rio 2016 mascots represent the diversity of our culture, of our people," Rio 2016 brand director Beth Lula said.
“They represent our joy, our way of being. Both of them are magical creatures with super powers and relate naturally with the young audience, who we want to engage with our event so much.”
The mascots are a key component of the Olympics-branded merchandising campaign which organisers hope will raise over a quarter of a million pounds in retail sales.
Plans are in place to feature the mascots on Brazilian television and to use the duo to help develop a range of apps and games.
“We are close to signing a partnership to produce a TV show,” added Sylmara Multini, head of licensing for Rio 2016.
“The crucial thing is to turn the mascots into characters.”
The mascot for this year's World Cup in Brazil - an armadillo named Fuleco - generated little interest. Some blamed this on pre-World Cup protests, and repeated delays and distractions in preparing venues.
