This week we're talking about the Olympics. I decided to go with the mascots, because nothing says an international sporting occasion like a weird cartoon character designed to shift truckloads of merchandise.
Some of them have actually been pretty sweet. I mean just look at this little cutie, currently on display at the Munich Museum:
His name is Waldi and, designed by Otl Aicher, he was the mascot of the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. Others, like poor Schuss (pictured below), were rather wide of the mark.
Some suffered from trying too hard, like Wenlock and Mandeville, the mascots for the 2012 London summer Olympics. They're supposed to represent the Industrial Revolution - don't ask me how - and are named Wenlock (who chose a name that rhymes with one of the UK's favourite swear words?) and Mandeville for the Stoke Mandeville Hospital and Games, the precursor to the modern Paralympics. Unfortunately, by the end of 2012 it was better known as Jimmy Savile's - the figure at the centre of a huge child abuse scandal - stomping ground, proving that these mascots just couldn't catch a break!

Others suffered from just not trying hard enough... Amik, the stylised beaver mascot of the 1976 Summer Olympics, definitely falls into this category:
This year we have Vinicius and Tom. According to Wikipedia: Vinicius's design represents Brazilian wildlife, combining "the agility of cats, sway of monkeys and grace of birds." The character's arms and legs can stretch unlimited distances. Vinicius's mission is "to spread joy throughout the world and celebrate the friendship that flourishes between people from all over the world." ... Tom's design represents the plants of Brazilian forests; any object can be pulled out of the leaves on Tom's head. His mission is "to inspire everybody to use creativity and determination to always reach further and have fun."
What do you think? Are they winners? :)


Jessica is an amazingly funny and smart blogger from Wales who writes on a whole range of topics -- from entertaining vintage nostalgia, to technology tutorials, to book reviews, to raising her adorable munchkin, and so much more! This week she's asking, do manners maketh baby?
Lisa is an awesomely hilarious and wonderfully authentic writer who marches to her own drum on her blog Syncopated Mama, providing an "un-labelly spot" for all the happily off-beat folks out there who have been wishing to find kindred spirits. She shares her adventures building a natural home, teaching her adorbs daughter, establishing and refining positive communication skills, camping, creating, cooking, and so much more! This week she wants us to Bring Back the Hankie with this frugal upcycling trick.
And a huge welcome to the #FridayFrivolity co-host for August!
And a huge welcome to the #FridayFrivolity co-host for August!
Rebecca is a fun and eclectic blogger who writes about family life in North Wales on her blog, Becster! Her posts encompass parenting, travel, product reviews, tips for landlords, pop culture, and even her love of Formula 1 racing! I'm loving these Christmas Present Ideas for Toddlers.

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Mascots! That was a fun and unique idea for this! #FridayFrivolity
ReplyDelete:D Thanks!
DeleteI agree with Lisa, great take on the prompt. Sam the Eagle was cool, and I am not saying that because I am American. It was cute and it made sense. Hodori in 1988 was equally well thought out.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree - they made real sense. Some of them you just think, what were they smoking when they came up with that idea!?
DeleteOh my word those Olympic Mascots always seem to miss the mark, don't they? Truly I wonder what the designers are thinking!!
ReplyDeleteSome of them are just so weird!
Delete