Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic mascots delight children on first public appearance
On visit to Olympic Games-inspired school, mascots are praised by Olympians and Paralympians for reflecting diversity of Brazil
School children, athletes and Games officials greeted the mascots on their first public outing (Rio 2016/Alex Ferro)
For their first public appearance, the Rio 2016 mascots could not have picked a better venue. The Ginásio Experimental Olímpico Juan Antonio Samaranch is a government-funded school in central Rio, named after the former International Olympic Committee president, that combines academic study with the pursuit of sporting excellence. And of course it was full of excited kids, desperate to see the new faces of the Games.
“Both of them are so cute,” said 12-year-old Ana Júlia after meeting the Olympic and Paralympic mascots. “I wanted to grab hold of them, but it was only possible to pat them a little bit, but I was still really happy. It was a really cool day. Sport is the best thing for us so it was super cool to have them both here at our school.”
The mascots were unveiled on Sunday night (23 November) and have the mission of spreading the Olympic and Paralympic values, along with the messages of the Games, especially among children. They are magical creatures with super powers: the Olympic mascot is a mixture of Brazilian animals, while his best friend, the Paralympic mascot, is a fusion of plants from Brazilian forests. Together, they represent and celebrate the diversity of Brazilian culture and the country’s exuberant nature.
Full of energy, the Rio 2016 mascots delighted the kids at the sports school in Santa Teresa (Photo: Rio 2016/Alex Ferro)
More than 100 children were waiting for the mascots, along with Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman, Brazilian Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons,d Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes and a host of Olympic and Paralympic athletes. The cuddly pair arrived full of energy, dancing, joking and posing for photos with the kids on the athletics track. The kids responded by singing for their special guests.
Among the athletes present was Daniel Dias, the Brazilian swimmer who has won 15 Paralympic Games medals. “Both of the mascots are really cool,” he said. “They are full of joy, colourful, and represent not only our sport, but all of our people.” Dias said the mascots would play an important role in engaging children with the Games, before admitting that he has a preference. “Without wanting to be biased, I think the Paralympic mascot is more beautiful,” he said, laughing.
Dias was joined by beach volleyball players Emanuel Rego, Pedro Solberg, Juliana Felisberta and Maria Elisa Antonelli, as well as sailors Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze, who shared this year’s ISAF World Female Sailor of the Year award, and were also victorious at the first Rio 2016 test event.
“I like both of the mascots a lot,” said Grael, the daughter of Brazilian sailing legend Torben Grael. “They are exactly what we hoped for. Our Brazil is made up of a great mixture, and they symbolise this very well.”
Beach volleyball stars Maria Elisa Antonelli, Emanuel Rego and Juliana Felisberta welcomed the mascots (Photo: Rio 2016/Mathilde Molla)
Paes gave the mascots symbolic keys to the city of Rio, while Nuzman emphasised the important role they would play ahead of the Games.
“It is very satisfying to see that we managed to encompass the diversity of Brazil’s fauna and flora,” said Nuzman. “It would have been impossible to choose only one animal or plant to represent Brazil. The mascots will be ambassadors for the Games, especially among young people, who represent our future.”
The mascots’ names will be decided by a public vote. You can find out which names are on the shortlist and vote for your preference here.
