RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – A bright yellow cat-like figure, which also combines elements of monkeys and birds, is the mascot of the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
The smiley-faced mascot represents the animal life of Brazil. The mascot for the Paralympics is a mopped-headed doll with leafy hair, meant to represent the vast diversity of the flora in Brazil.
The mascots made their first official appearance on Monday at a school in the Santa Teresa neighborhood, which is a mix of precarious slums and homes for millionaires. The school is named for former International Olympic Committee President Juan Antonio Samaranch.
“Their purpose is to delight and engage the audience, particularly the children,” Carlos Nuzman, head of the Rio organizing committee, said of the mascots. “In addition, the mascots will always be remembered by the people.”
A public poll will be conducted to name the two from a shortlist of possibilities. The possibilities for the Olympic mascot are: Oba, Tiba Tuque and Vinicius The choice for the Paralympic mascots are: Eba, Esquindim and Tom. They must be voted on in pairs: Oba and Eba, Tiba Tuque and Esquindim, and Vinicius and Tom.