Cryptozoology is Now an Olympic Event

[TheDoLittle]

I'm all for cute mascots that encourage kids to participate in athletic activities, but one wonders about the message the Vancouver 2010 Olympic committee is sending.

http://www.vancouver2010.com/mascots

Sumi is an animal spirit who lives in the mountains of British Columbia. Like many Canadians, Sumi's background is drawn from many places. He wears the hat of the orca whale, flies with the wings of the mighty thunderbird and runs on the strong furry legs of the black bear.

Quatchi is a young sasquatch who comes from the mysterious forests of Canada. Quatchi is shy, but loves to explore new places and meet new friends. Although Quatchi loves all winter sports, he’s especially fond of hockey. He dreams of becoming a world-famous goalie.

Miga is a young sea bear who lives in the ocean with her family pod, out past Vancouver Island near Tofino, British Columbia. Sea bears are part killer whale and part bear. Miga is part Kermode bear, a rare white bear that only lives in British Columbia.

 

[shadron]

The message they are trying to send, I think, is an enticement to come to the area and see the sights and experience the "mystery", including, possibly, the Olympics. Anyone who understands the Olympics as a commercial venture knows what collateral means, and they are it. Perhaps they didn't have to pursue ghosts and imaginaries (see what has done it in the past: http://www.mapsofworld.com/olympic-trivia/olympic-mascot.html), but I don't think that anyone, even people who might be into creche scenes, would be fooled into believing that these are anything but commercialized cuteness. Cobi and Athenos lead the way into spirit world. Let it be; anything's gotta be better than Izzy.

I like Misha.

 

[AtomicMysteryMonster]

I'm all for cute mascots that encourage kids to participate in athletic activities, but one wonders about the message the Vancouver 2010 Olympic committee is sending.

http://www.vancouver2010.com/mascots

I really don't see a problem with this. After all, it's not like Izzy the Whatzit was real...

 

[my_wan]

Funny, yes. Worth poking fun at, yes. Woo, yes. Disturbing woo, no.

 

[Peacock]

Plus, who could be angry about something so adorable?

 

[Lynx2174]

THAT is the hat of an orca whale?

I've never seen one wearing one. And I worked at sea world, so you'd think I'd have seen something like that.

 

[hipparchia]

Mica looks like Hello Kitty. But I love the species "sea bear".