Greetings from the Olympic Mascots!
Themes: Competition
Cartoon characters of a kookaburra, platypus, and echidna smile and wave.
Image credit: AP Graphic/Matthew Hatton/SOCOG
Olly the kookaburra, Syd the platypus, and Millie the echidna stand for Sydney, Australia.
Every two years, new superstars shine at the Olympics. These icons might be runners or swimmers, skaters or snowboarders. They might also be pandas or platypuses, or perhaps even historic hats. That's because, in addition to stellar athletes, the Olympic Games feature distinctive mascots.
These mascots are more than just cute characters—you could say they act as international ambassadors. Before each Summer or Winter Olympics, organizers in the host city create mascots for the Olympic Games that will take place there. The mascots are designed to embody the Olympic spirit and to represent the culture of the host city and nation.
Let's meet a few of these meaningful mascots.
Syd, Olly, and Millie
Olympic Summer Games
Sydney 2000
Say g'day to Syd, Olly, and Millie! Syd the platypus, Olly the kookaburra, and Millie the ant-eating echidna are well qualified to represent the 2000 Olympics and Sydney, Australia. All three animals are native only to Australia and surrounding islands, showing how unique their home is. You might notice that the trio doesn't include a kangaroo or koala—organizers wanted to spotlight less famous Aussie fauna. With one swimmer, one flyer, and one expert dirt digger, the three critters symbolize the nation's water, air, and earth.
Their names have meaning, too. Olly is derived from "Olympics," while Millie commemorated the start of the new millennium. Maybe you can guess where the name Syd comes from?
Quatchi and Miga
Olympic Winter Games
Vancouver 2010
Quatchi and Miga, the mascots of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, Canada, are a sporty pair. Tall, shaggy Quatchi loves ice hockey, while his mischievous little friend Miga surfs and snowboards. Quatchi is a Sasquatch, and Miga is a sea bear, but you won't find those creatures in an encyclopedia of animal species.
Both of these mascots are based on mythical creatures from stories told by people of First Nations, or Indigenous, groups in Canada. According to legends, the Sasquatch is a hirsute, humanlike creature who lives in the forests of western Canada and the northwestern United States. The powerful sea bear featured in First Nations stories is an orca whale in the ocean but transforms into a bear on land.
Bing Dwen Dwen
Olympic Winter Games
Beijing 2022
If there's ever a competition for cutest mascot in Olympic history, Bing Dwen Dwen might go home with the gold medal. It's not hard to see why people in China picked a panda to be the face of the Beijing 2022 Olympics. In addition to being adorable, the giant panda is considered a national treasure in China and recognized worldwide as a symbol of the country. The species is native to China—pandas don't live in the wild anyplace else on the planet.
Bing Dwen Dwen is a spirited "spokesbear" for winter sports. In Mandarin Chinese, one meaning of bing is "ice," and dwen dwen means "lively." The character wears a sporty spacesuit made of ice, a high-tech fashion choice meant to show this panda is outfitted for the future.
The Phryges
Olympic Summer Games
Paris 2024
Before the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, French organizers put their heads together and came up with an unconventional plan. Instead of an animal, the symbol they selected was a hat! Olympic Phryge (pronounced freejh) and Paralympic Phryge are based on the Phrygian cap.
The Phrygian cap has been part of French culture for centuries. Because it was worn by fighters during the French Revolution, it's seen as an emblem of liberty and the French Republic. Today, it appears on French stamps, coins, and statues.
Paris 2024 officials say the Phryges are leading a new kind of revolution. Their mission is to get people moving and deliver the message that being active improves people's lives and health. Their rallying cry is "Sport can change everything!"
Which best describes the difference between the French and Australian Olympic mascots?
A. The French mascots are based on creatures from legends, while the Australian mascots represent natural resources.
B. The French mascots represent native fauna, while the Australian mascots are based on a historical emblem.
C. The French mascots represent natural resources, while the Australian mascots are based on creatures from legends.
D. The French mascots are based on a historical emblem, while the Australian mascots represent native fauna.
Each mascot brings the Olympic spirit to life in its own way. Which one is your favorite?
5 answers
We are ready for a high-tech future.
Myths can teach us important lessons.
We should honor native lands and animals.
Activity and sports are good for you.
These mascots are more than just cute characters—you could say they act as international ambassadors.
If there's ever a competition for cutest mascot in Olympic history, Bing Dwen Dwen might go home with the gold medal.
According to legends, the Sasquatch is a hirsute, humanlike creature who lives in the forests of western Canada and the northwestern United States.
You might notice that the trio doesn't include a kangaroo or koala—organizers wanted to spotlight less famous Aussie fauna.