Notable Olympic Mascots
A variety of characters have served as Olympic mascots, each with unique significance relating to the host location and the Olympic spirit. Some notable mascots include:
- Waldi (Munich 1972): A dachshund, a popular Bavarian dog breed symbolizing resistance and agility.
- Misha (Moscow 1980): A brown bear, a national symbol of the Soviet Union.
- Sam (Los Angeles 1984): A bald eagle, the national bird of the United States.
- Hodori (Seoul 1988): A Siberian tiger, a common animal in Korean legends symbolizing courage.
- Cobi (Barcelona 1992): A Catalan sheepdog designed in a Cubist style.
- Olly, Syd, Millie (Sydney 2000): A kookaburra, platypus, and echidna, common Australian animals.
- The Fuwa (Beijing 2008): Five figures (Koi, Panda, Olympic Flame, Antelope, Swallow) whose names combine to mean "Beijing welcomes you".
- Wenlock (London 2012): A drop of steel named after Much Wenlock, representing the UK's Industrial Revolution.
- Miraitowa (Tokyo 2020): A robot embodying tradition and innovation.
- Bing Dwen Dwen (Beijing 2022): A panda in an ice suit.
- The Olympic Phryge (Paris 2024): Based on the Phrygian cap, a French symbol of liberty.
