A selection of the most unusual mascots of the Olympic Games (10 photos)

The Olympic Games are, without exaggeration, an event in the world scale. Every time it's time for new games, designers draw mascots-symbols of games. As a rule, they become some cute little animals, such as the Olympic Bear. But some designers this is not enough, and they go further! As a result, a riot of creativity gives rise to very strange talismans, which can be very difficult to understand. Let's remember the most mysterious of the bottom.

London, 2012





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

Turin, 2006



The blue creature is called Nele, he is a snowball. And the beauty is Glitz, and she icicle. Together they symbolize winter sports.

Athens, 2004





Those adorable yellow characters… gods? Anyway, it is to the Olympian gods that their names are referred. The character in red is called Phoebus, and the heroine in blue is Athena.

Atlanta, 1996



Who or what Izzy is, no one knows. He is an incarnation the concept of "information technology". Izzy has problems not only with awareness of who he really is. For a long time the character could not choose a name, and Izzy's design was constantly changing.

Barcelona, 1992



Feature of the Barcelona Shepherd Coby (yes, he is a dog) in a simplified design. Its muzzle consists of several lines, and its the friendly-neutral expression never changes. And Kobe has a very many suits.

Albertville, 1992



And this is Magic. He is a dwarf in the shape of a star and a cube. Gnome cubestar. Name Magica was chosen through extensive research funded by Organizing Committee of the 1992 Games, but did not come to anything. The name itself found star-cubic character, when the author of the mascot, Philippe Mairess, rereading the description of his creation, I noticed how often in it the word “magique” is repeated, that is, “magic”.

Nagano, 1998



These are the 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



Now an animal as a talisman is commonplace, but the flowery-striped dachshund Waldi was the first. Chose this breed because of. that in Bavaria these dogs are considered a symbol endurance, perseverance and dexterity.

Grenoble, 1968



This is Shuss. He is the first ever mascot of the Olympic Games. This a man on skis, who froze in a pose for descent. And yes, if you the thought arose in my head that it was invented in a hurry, you completely are right. Designer Aline Lafargue was given just one night to come up with sketch.