Olympic Mascots Ranked: Best to Worst

When and where? Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics

What are they? A Sasquatch and a sea bear

Why?Inspired by tales of theFirst Nations on the West Coast of Canada, the mascots included mythical creatures: the forest legend Quatchi and the sea creature Miga. Miga is a sea bear, a fabled animal that is part killer whale, part Kermode bear, and lives only in British Columbia.

When and where? Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics

What is it? A white tiger

Why?ConsideredKorea’s guardian animal, "Sooho" means "protection" and "rang" comes from the word for "tiger." The name "Soohorang" draws from a traditional folk song of Gangwon Province, where the Games took place.

When and where? Seoul 1988 Summer Olympics

What is it? A tiger

Why?The smilingtiger's name breaks into "Ho," meaning "tiger," and "dori," meaning "little boy." A female tiger named "Hosuni" also existed.

When and where? Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympics

What are they? A snowshoe hare, a coyote, and an American black bear

Why?Meant to representspeed, strength, and the abilityto climb the highest mountain, the trio illustrated the Olympic motto "Citius, Altius, Fortius" (faster, higher, stronger) using regional animals.

When and where? Los Angeles 1932 Summer Olympics

What is it? A Scottish terrier mix

Why?Smoky the dog was a real pup that appeared during the 1932 Olympic Village construction. His presence at the Games won fans and athletes' hearts; they made him the “official mascot.”

When and where?Munch 1972 Summer Olympics

What is it? A dachshund dog

Why?The first official mascot of the Olympics Games. The dachshund was the most popular dog breed in Germany then. Designers Elena Winschermann and Otl Aicher Elena Winschermann and Otl Aicherused the colors of the 1972 Olympics. Even the track for the marathon was designed tomatch the Waldi design.

When and where?Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics

What are they? A fish, a panda, an antelope, a swallow, and a fire child

Why?Also called “Fuwa,” meaning “good-luck dolls,” or "Friendlies." All together, the names form the sentence "Welcome to Beijing." Each of the mascots corresponds to an element and an Olympic ring, and four represent popular animals in China. Huanhuan, the fire child, represents the Olympic torch.

When and where? Sarajevo 1984 Winter Olympics

What is it? Wolf

Why?Created by illustratorJože Trobec,Vučko the friendly wolf changed public views of wolves from vicious creatures to furry friends with his howl, "Sarajevoooo."

When and where? Moscow 1980 Summer Olympics

What is it?A teddy bear with an Olympic ring belt

Why?Misha was designed by children's book illustratorVictor Chizhikov. The mascot's full name is Mikhail Potapych Toptygin. Misha, the first Olympic mascot to reach worldwide fame, appeared in a short movie and a TV series.

When and where? Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics

What is it? A robot

Why?The name "Miraitowa"Miraitowa" comes from Japanese words “mirai” meaning "future" and “towa” meaning "eternity." The superhero robot mixes the new and the old with an "innovation from harmony."

When and where?Barcelona 1992 Summer Olympics

What is it?Pyrenean mountain dog

Why? A Cubist version of a dog. Javier Mariscal designed this.Javier Mariscal and Pablo Picasso inspired the design.Pablo PicassoPicasso's interpretations of Diego Velázquez's paintingLas MeninasHis name comes from the Barcelona '92 Olympic Organising Committee (COOB'92).

When and where?Los Angeles 1984 Summer Olympics

What is it?A bald eagle in a top hat

Why? Sam the Eagle, the United States national bird, was designed by Disney artistBob Mooreand wears the colors of Old Glory: red, white, and blue.

When and where?Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics

What are they?A cute trio of fuzzy friends wearing matching blue scarves.

Why? A hare, a bear, and a leopard were chosen after a contest held across Russia. The winner was announced ona TV show, Talismaniya Sochi 2014 - The Final.

When and where?Rio de Janeiro 2016 Summer Olympics

What is it?A hybrid animal combining parts of a cat, monkey, and bird

Why? ViniciusVinicius has the tail of a monkey, the ears of a cat, and the coloring of local birds. His name is a tributeto Brazilian poet and lyricist Vinicius de Moraes.

When and where?Mexico City 1968 Summer Olympics

What is it?A Mayan-inspired Jaguar

Why? "Chac Mool" means "great jaguar" in the Mayan language.The unofficial mascot's look copied figures from the Kukulkan pyramids in Chichen Itza.

When and where?Montreal 1976 Summer Olympics

What is it?Beaver

Why? Amik means "beaver" in the Algonquin language. Kids chose a beaver because it links to Canada and shows hard work.

When and where?Calgary 1988 Winter Olympics

What are they?Little polar bears in country western outfits

Why? Hildy and Howdy represent Calgary’sfriendly natureand visitors still use them to greet people in Calgary.

When and where?Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics

What are they?A kookaburra, a platypus, and an echidna

Why? Olly stands for "Olympic," Syd stands for "Sydney," and Millie stands for "Millennium." They representair, earth, and water through the region's native animals.air, earth, and water through the region's native animals.

When and where?Innsbruck 1976 Winter Olympics

What is it?A happy snowman wearing a red hat

Why? "Schneemandl" means "snowman" in German. Walter Pötsch created it.Walter Pötsch, he wears a Tyrolean hat, typical of the Innsbruck region.

When and where?Lake Placid 1980 Winter Olympics

What is it?A raccoon

Why?Roni comes from the word "racoon" in Iroquoian, an animal native to the Lake Placid area. Kids in the area chose it.

When and where?Nagano 1998 Winter Olympics

What are they?The Snowlets, little misshapen owls

Why?Their namesSukki, Nokki, Lekki, and Tsukki show the four classical elements: fire (Sukki), air (Nokki), earth (Lekki), and water (Tsukki). These elements represent the four years of an Olympiad.

When and where did Magique appear?Magique appeared at the Albertville 1992 Winter Olympics.

What is Magique?Magique was a snow imp.

Why is Magique significant?Magique was a snow imp.Magique is a "man star," a magical creature shaped like a star. Its colors match the French flag, and its shape stands for "dreams and imagination."

When and where did Wenlock appear?Wenlock appeared at the London 2012 Summer Olympics.

What is Wenlock?Wenlock is a drop of steel.

Why is Wenlock important?Wenlock is the lWenlock is the last drop of steel.This drop of steel built the Olympic Stadium in London. Its head glows with light from London's black cabs, and its arms hold the Olympic Rings. They named it after the village of Much Wenlock in Shropshire.

When and where did The Phryges appear?The Phryges appeared at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.

What are The Phryges?The Phryges are anthropomorphic hats.

Why are the hats used?The conical caps were used during the French Revolution and worn by freed enslaved people in Phrygia. They symbolize freedom and the French Republic.The caps represent the French Republic.

When and where did Håkon And Kristin appear?Håkon And Kristin appeared at the Lillehammer 1994 Winter Olympics.

What are Håkon And Kristin?Håkon And Kristin are Hansel and Gretel-esque figures.

Why are they significant?Håkon And Kristin were the first humans used as mascots.Håkon and Kristin wear traditional Viking apparel to show their Norwegian roots.Håkon and Kristin wear traditional Viking apparel to represent their Norwegian roots.

When and where did Izzy appear?Izzy appeared at the Atlanta 1996 Summer Olympics.

What is Izzy?Izzy is a blue thing.Izzy is a blue thing.Izzy is a blue thing made of Olympic Rings carrying the Olympic torch.

Why is Izzy important?Izzy is the first computer-generated mascot. Izzy is short for "WhatizitIzzy is "and can morph into anything. Izzy was the star of the video game “Izzy's Quest for Olympic Gold."

When and where did Shuss appear?Shuss appeared at the Grenoble 1968 Winter Olympics.

What is Shuss?Shuss is a stylized man on skis.

Why is Shuss significant?Shuss is known as a “character” rather than a mascot. The name comes from "schuss," meaning a “straight downhill run at high speed.”Shuss is a “character” rather than a mascot.Shuss is considered an unofficial mascot of the games. The name is based on the word "schuss," meaning a “straight downhill run at high speed.”

When and where did Neve And Gliz appear?Neve And Gliz appeared at the Turin 2006 Winter Olympics.

What are Neve And Gliz?Neve And Gliz are a snowball and an ice cube.

Why are they important?The anthropomorphic frozen forms of water mean torepresentelegance and fluidity (Neve), and power and strength (Gliz).

When and where did Phevos And Athena appear?Phevos And Athena appeared at the Athens 2004 Summer Olympics.

What are Phevos And Athena?Phevos And Athena are possibly humans, a brother and a sister.

Why are they significant?Phevos And Athena are areference to the Greek godsPhevos And Athena are a reference to the Greek gods of Phevos (which is also Apollo), the god of light and music, and goddess of wisdom Athena, who protects Athens. They link ancient Greece and the modern Games. Their looks copy seventh-century BCE terra-cotta dolls.