How much time has passed since the first Olympic Games ... Already a lot has changed, both in the organization of sporting events and in sports. One thing remains unchanged - the Games always have a symbol. Athletes participated in competitions, won, lost, showed their best results, gave all the best at the moment when they saw the idea, felt the spirit that was inherent in the Olympics. And this factor has survived to the present day, when the World Games cannot even be imagined without a talisman. And the organizers are already beginning to gradually connect ordinary viewers to the process of choosing the main character. And this step is successful. However, it is worth describing in more detail what embodiment carries the symbol of the Olympics.
What is hidden under the talismans?
Almost everyone knows the mascots of the 2014 Olympic Games. And what are they? By talismans they mean the ideological embodiment of the thoughts of the organizers, the values and meanings that need to be demonstrated. It is in connection with this that each regular Olympic Games has its own, unique talismans. Throughout the entire existence of the competition, animals, and various dolls, and characters from fairy tales, etc., acted as ideological inspiration.
How have the talismans changed?
If earlier, mainly as a talisman, representatives of the fauna of a certain locality acted, then by the end of the twentieth century the characters of myths and fairy tales began to be chosen as symbols of the Olympics. However, each of the characters was vivid and memorable. They reflected the history of the place where the sporting events took place. And I must say that the symbols of the games coped with their task 100%.
What should be a good symbol?
Any good mascot must be flexible. It is necessary to make it so that it looks great not only in print and electronic resources, but also looks great from the perspective of a plush toy. After all, many after watching the World Games will want to purchase a talisman and place it at home. Therefore, it should cause joy only by its appearance.
Memorable to all Bear
Today, many remember the symbol that was characteristic of the 1980 Olympics, which was held in Moscow. Absolutely all residents of the former USSR remember him. It's about "our affectionate Misha." By the way, he also had an official name. Everyone knew him as Mikhail Potapych Toptygin. However, it is worth talking about new symbols that many have come to know not so long ago. As time goes on inexorably, we should talk more about the new mascots of the 2014 Olympic Games, as well as highlight the process of their choice.
Best Character Selection Procedure
It should be noted right away that the choice was not easy. It lasted a fairly long period of time. Voting began as early as 2008. Then in March, the Sochi residents made a choice in favor of a dolphin skiing, the creation of which was worked by the artist Olga Belyaeva, who lives in Yaroslavl. However, after the publication of the vote, it was decided that the mascots of the 2014 Olympic Games will be selected in 2011, but not earlier.
Start of competition
In September 2010, a competition began in which absolutely everyone could take part. The competitor had to provide an image of the mascot in the form in which he represents it. The results were huge in scope. The organizing committee accepted about 24 thousand works from those people who were not only in Russia, but also abroad.
Images were posted on the official resource of the Olympics. Each visitor could vote for the mascot that he liked. At the end of 2011, the options were announced. The mascots of the 2014 Olympic Games had to be chosen from the top 10 works. The list of candidates for victory included the sun, a hare, a bullfinch, a leopard, a ray, a polar bear, a snowflake, etc.
Stage of voting and demonstration of symbols of the Olympics
Also in 2011, using the free SMS voting and the TV program “Talismania. Sochi 2014. Final ”a choice was made in favor of the characters of the main event of this year. At the very beginning of the program, a brief description of each character was demonstrated. In addition, the mascots of the 2014 Olympic Games were demonstrated by pop stars. The role of a polar bear was made by Natalia Varley. The hare was Dmitry Bilan. The bullfinch, respectively, became the team of Ivanushki International. This is not to say that the idea did not please with its originality. She was greeted very well by the public. According to the results of voting, more than a million calls and messages were recorded.
Winners Announcement
First of all, it was decided to declare the symbols that will mark the Paralympic Games. As a result of large-scale voting, they became a snowflake and a ray, or, as they were shown differently, a snow-white girl and a fiery bright boy. After that, it became known which mascots of the 2014 Olympic Games were selected as a result of the vote. The first, second and third places were divided among themselves by a leopard, a polar bear and a hare, respectively.
However, even here the organizers managed to surprise. No one even knew that the Sochi Olympics would be represented simultaneously by three talismans. However, it turned out that way. And today, all the attributes of these sports games are decorated with images of these three heroes.
The mascots of the 2014 Winter Olympics were chosen very symbolically. The number of heroes meant the top three athletes who won three prizes, the white color symbolized the fact that the games are held in the winter. Now it is worthwhile to consider in more detail a brief description of our heroes who could become winners of the vote.
Short description each mascot possesses
So, the first mascot (Leopard) of the 2014 Olympic Games. What is his biography? The hero lives on the snowy mountains of the Caucasus, which are distinguished by their height. His house is located on the same tall trees. The author implied that Leopard is a snowboarder and climber. He can always come to the rescue of those who are in trouble. The hero has a cheerful character and just loves to dance. He loves when he is called the snow leopard, which is fully suitable for his appearance. The author of this hero Pak V. lives in the city of Nakhodka.
The mascot of the Olympic Games 2014 - Bear - white color. The hero, whose main character trait is good nature, lives in the North, in the area beyond the Arctic Circle. In the house of a cute polar bear there is a snowy bed, the exact same computer and exercise machines. From early childhood he was brought up by severe polar explorers. It was they who taught the bear to play curling and skate and ski. And most of all, our hero fell in love with a sport sled. The bear and his friends often arrange a variety of competitions on especially long polar nights. The author is Hearty O., who lives in Sochi.
The mascot of the 2014 Olympic Games - Bunny - is not just a beauty. She is also an excellent student. Our heroine is studying, of course, at the Forest Academy. In addition, she is her mother’s main assistant for work in a small restaurant called Forest Dam. And most of all, the bunny loves sports games and competitions. The author
Petrova S. lives in the village of Novoye Buyanovo, in the Chuvash Republic.
Paralympic symbols of victory
These were the mascots of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games. However, one should not forget about the symbols that are characteristic of the Paralympic Games, held in the same city. These competitions are the culmination of a four-year sport cycle for paraolipians. And other participants in this movement follow similar games with bated breath.
The Paralympic Games today are rightfully considered the most prestigious competitions for those athletes who have a disability. The selection of participants takes place during world, regional and national competitions.
The appearance of the Paralympic mascot
The symbol of the Paralympic Games first appeared at the Games in Turin in 2006. As a kind of logo, it was decided to use the image of three hemispheres of the following colors: red, blue and green, located around one central point. With the help of this symbol, the organizers reflected the whole character, stamina and courage of athletes with disabilities, who conquered the whole world with their actions. Flowers mean mind, body, and spirit.
Brief characteristics of the winners
The talisman Luchik symbolizes a fiery, simply amber boy who came to Earth from another planet. His housing is always very hot. However, the boy himself has a sweet character and quite easily finds new friends. It was they who taught him to ski and play hockey. The author of the symbol, N. Balashova, lives in Moscow.
The mascot Snowflake has lightness and weightlessness. She, whirling, gives a sense of dance along with her many girlfriends. A snow girl flew to Earth on an icy comet. And it was here that she fell in love with sports such as freestyle and figure skating. The author - Zhilinskaya A. lives in St. Petersburg.
Conclusion
Absolutely all of these symbols, which fully characterize the Olympic Games that took place in Sochi in 2014, can be safely bought in almost any store. With the help of talismans, the spirit of the country that organized the World Games was reflected. They increase the significance that a world-wide event has, its festive atmosphere. In addition to the athletes, they, as it turned out, brought a lot of luck. And the fans, respectively, were given a sense of joy and happiness.