The summer of 1980 became a landmark for the USSR and many of its cities. After all, it was at this time in the Soviet Union that the XXII Summer Olympic Games were held. This Olympics became famous for the fact that more than 50 countries refused to take part in it. This was due to the entry of Soviet troops into Afghanistan. Despite this, some athletes from the countries boycotting the games nevertheless arrived in the capital of the USSR and took part in the games.
The Olympic bear in Moscow became a symbol of the Olympic Games. The author of this character is Viktor Chizhikov, an illustrator of children's books. The author affectionately nicknamed the Bear Bear Mikhail Potapych Toptygin. This character to this day remains in Russia and far beyond its borders one of the most beloved heroes. The Committee for the Organization of the Olympics in Moscow chose this animal as the talisman, because the bear had qualities such as perseverance, strength, endurance and courage that are inherent in any athlete.
The Organizing Committee of the Olympics received more than 40 thousand drawings depicting bears. But they could not choose a suitable option for a very long time. Indeed, from the artists they expected not just an ordinary aggressive bear, but an affectionate and kind beast, who at the same time was able to fend for himself. It was such a beast that the Olympic bear became.
Victor Chizhikov portrayed his Potapych with a smile on his face, with kind eyes. And the workers of the Moscow Zoo even determined the age of the teddy bear - only 3 months.
The Olympic bear was not only a favorite of the participants in the Olympics, but also received popular recognition from the fans. The creator of the sports symbol said that letters were sent to him from Toptygin fans from around the world. So, for example, Chizhikov corresponded with Polish schoolchildren from the city of Svidvena for 5 years. He sent children a lot of souvenirs and gifts, among which was an Olympic bear: a photo with his images, badges and books.
For the emblem of the Olympics, a children's illustrator was supposed to get a huge amount of money, but, having come to the Organizing Committee for a well-deserved reward, he received only 250 rubles. The world-famous six-meter Olympic bear was created in the city of Zagorsk, at the Research Institute of the Rubber Industry. First, rubberized fabric was made , then the tongs glued the figure of Toptygin in duplicate.
But that was the easiest task. It was harder to teach clubfoot flying. According to the idea, the bear was supposed to fly into the air above the upper stands by 3.5 m and leave the Olympic stadium. Due to the shape of the bear, this turned out to be very difficult, but possible. After many tests to lift the figure into the air, it was decided to attach balloons pumped with helium to the hero’s ears and upper legs.
The Olympic bear became a charm and a symbol of the games of 1980 due to its charm, good nature and beauty. Especially the participants and spectators of the sports olympiad remember its closure, which took place on August 3, 1980 at the Luzhniki stadium. It was on this day that the figure of the club-toed was launched in balloons into the blue capital sky to the song of Nikolai Dobronravov and Alexandra Pakhmutova “Goodbye, our sweet Misha”.