Meet the 2010 Olympic Mascots: Miga, Quatchi, Sumi, Mumuk

[mr.x]

Here they are!
http://images.ctv.ca/archives/CTVNews/img2/20071127/450_mascots_0711273.jpg

Watch the mascot animation video: http://mash.zincroe.com/mascot/en/meet.php



Meet Miga the Sea Bear, Quatchi the Sasquatch, and Sumi, the Thunderbird

Jeff Lee, Vancouver Sun
Published: Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Meet Miga the Sea Bear, Quatchi the Sasquatch, and Sumi, the Thunderbird.

Along with a virtual sidekick, Mukmuk the Vancouver Island Marmot, who will never make an appearance in the flesh, these are mascots the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games organizers hope will be adopted and adored by thousands of children around the world.

Vanoc unveiled a combination of British Columbia animals, an aboriginal mythic creature and a long sought-after half-man Tuesday as the flagbearers for its Olympic program, and in doing so joined a long list of organizing committees that have used cute and cuddly as the benchmarks for successful mascots.

None of the three mascots actually exist in real life: Miga the Sea Bear is a combination of an orca and a bear. Sumi, the Paralympic mascot, is a Thunderbird but looks more like a bear with wings.

And Quatchi is the first Sasquatch in history to actually make an appearance before human beings.

As for Mukmuk, it's actually the only real animal. But Vanoc says it isn't really a mascot and will only make appearances on its website.

The mascots are the creation of Vancouver graphic designers Vicki Wong and Michael Murphy, who own Meomi Design. Vanoc says that although the two provided more than 20 different concepts, it was Quatchi, Miga and Sumi that they first proposed and which were selected as winning designs.

Vanoc's much-anticipated mascots made their first appearances in Surrey at the Bell Performing Arts Centre in front of 800 school children, starting with a cartoon showing how Quatchi and Miga meet in the forests of British Columbia and then encounter Sumi at Whistler.

Vanoc says Miga is a sea bear "inspired by the legends of the Pacific Northwest First Nations, tales of orca whales that transform into bears when they first arrive on land."

Quatchi, according to Vanoc spokeswoman Renee Smith-Valade, became the instant hit with boys, while Miga resonates more with girls. Quatchi "reminds us of the mystery and wonder that exist in the natural world," Vanoc said.

And Sumi is an animal spirit whose name comes from the Salish word "Sumesh", meaning 'guardian spirit."





There's also a FOURTH MASCOT, the official fan: "Mumuk" the Vancouver Island Marmot
http://mash.zincroe.com/mascot/en/profile_mm.php

[zivan56]

Disappointing to say the least. How does a Sea Bear, Sasquatch, and Thunderbird represent Vancouver? These drawings look like they are for the Pyeongchang 2010 bid in terms of drawing style (I have yet to see this drawing style used in cartoons here, maybe the Sasquatch could be). The names sound Japanese and not native or Canadian at all...

[mr.x]

http://mash.zincroe.com/mascot/images/desk_flags_1024x768.jpg

http://mash.zincroe.com/mascot/images/desk_group_1024x768.jpg

http://mash.zincroe.com/mascot/images/desk_sports_1024x768.jpg

[Joe P]

They're adorable and well designed.

Best Olympic mascots I've seen in a while.

[aberrate]

These things are ridiculously cute man...but I read the responses of people on CBC and a bunch of other blogs and the general sentiment I'm sensing is "I HATE THEM because they look Asian and not Canadian enough". Honestly, I don't know what they're talking about.
Like Joe P said I think they are pretty well designed...probably just as good as Beijing's. Now Athens and Torino? Those were subpar IMO.

[spongeg]

i noticed a lot of the negative comments are from people outside of Vancouver

they look great, modern, fresh, unique and make people want to learn more about them such as the west coast native stories behind the sea bear etc

so people will not only get a cute toy they can learn something too :)

[raggedy13]

Disappointing to say the least. How does a Sea Bear, Sasquatch, and Thunderbird represent Vancouver?

Methinks you need to learn more about west coast culture, folklore and ecology, then you'll see how well they represent us.

These drawings look like they are for the Pyeongchang 2010 bid in terms of drawing style (I have yet to see this drawing style used in cartoons here, maybe the Sasquatch could be).

Cause Vancouver is such a major cartoon production centre, right? Perhaps you don't get out much but a huge portion of the region's population is east Asian, way more than the Native population, so its only fitting that part of Vancouver's Asian culture is represented too.

The names sound Japanese and not native or Canadian at all...

You see no resemblance between Quatchi and Sasquatch? From what I've read, Sumi is derived from a Native term and I'm sure the story is similar for Miga. You also have to keep in mind that when coming up with Olympic mascot names, they have to conform to such requirements as not producing negative words in one of the worlds numerous other languages. And since when is Canada composed of only English and French speakers?

[zivan56]

Methinks you need to learn more about west coast culture, folklore and ecology, then you'll see how well they represent us.


Well I'll give them some credit and rephrase my question. How does about 5% of the populations' beliefs represent Vancouver?



Cause Vancouver is such a major cartoon production centre, right? Perhaps you don't get out much but a huge portion of the region's population is east Asian, way more than the Native population, so its only fitting that part of Vancouver's Asian culture is represented too.



Look at a local newspaper if you want an idea of how local cartoons are made. These things definitely have a Korean vibe to them. Where exactly is the east Asian connection? I only see a western Asian one. If you want to do rep by pop, then by your argument the cartoons should have represented non-visible minorities.



You see no resemblance between Quatchi and Sasquatch? From what I've read, Sumi is derived from a Native term and I'm sure the story is similar for Miga. You also have to keep in mind that when coming up with Olympic mascot names, they have to conform to such requirements as not producing negative words in one of the worlds numerous other languages. And since when is Canada composed of only English and French speakers?

I said the names sound Japanese because of the -chi suffix. But I guess they accidentally suffixed 3 names with that? I'm quite sure they could have though of some neutral names which didn't infer a race and didn't offend anybody. It doesn't take a long time to check if a name is offensive, especially if you make a list of a couple dozen.

Who mentioned English/French? I don't mind them being different nationalities and whatnot, but making all 3 name sound Japanese is quite stupid...people will get the wrong idea that Vancouver has a huge Japanese or Korean population or something.

People have to remember these things will represent the games in Vancouver whether you like it or not. I don't see why people think it is just for children, as the first thing people collect from the games is the mascot of the host city. These things send out a wrong message about Vancouver. Watch any newscast and you will see well over 90% of people hate them...

[Huhu]

Well I'll give them some credit and rephrase my question. How does about 5% of the populations' beliefs represent Vancouver?
If you haven't noticed we have a First Nation's theme going on for the 2010 Olympics.
Look at a local newspaper if you want an idea of how local cartoons are made. These things definitely have a Korean vibe to them. Where exactly is the east Asian connection? I only see a western Asian one. If you want to do rep by pop, then by your argument the cartoons should have represented non-visible minorities.
The mascots are supposed to be cute to appeal to children. If the Koreans or Japanese have figured out a better way to make things look cute, what's the problem?

FYI Korea is in East Asia... I hope I just misread your post and you didn't actually think Korea is in West Asia.

I said the names sound Japanese because of the -chi suffix. But I guess they accidentally suffixed 3 names with that? I'm quite sure they could have though of some neutral names which didn't infer a race and didn't offend anybody. It doesn't take a long time to check if a name is offensive, especially if you make a list of a couple dozen.
They've already explained that the names are from first nation's languages, not Japanese. A lot of cultures attach the sound "eee" sound to the end of names to make them sound cute.

[mr.x]

Mascot merchandise will be available TOMORROW at HBC stores nation wide.

[dchengg]

Well I'll give them some credit and rephrase my question. How does about 5% of the populations' beliefs represent Vancouver?

May i ask you a questionl;
How long have you been in canada?
dont you know that the first nations were the first people in Canadian West coast,
even if that doesnt matter,
they artist doing this or the group producing this,
must keep everyone happy by having some of this or some of that,
orelse if it doesnt some specific group of people,
those whiney people is gona go protesting and wanting change,
thats what people call by being "multicultural"

[dchengg]

RE: ZIVAN56
just quit whining
be a man, and just live with it,
if you can do anything better than what we have right now,
then make it, go to VANOC office and protest with your new "artwork"

[Joe P]

Part of the reason why these mascots look so good is because they fit the theme. First Nations culture is so beautiful, I'm so happy the 2010 games are based on First Nations culture.

BTW, Sumi is my favourite.

[mr.x]

YouTube video of the mascot promotion video:
OB5dDE_PD34

[zivan56]

If you haven't noticed we have a First Nation's theme going on for the 2010 Olympics.

Nothing against that, however, there should be some diversity and the REST of the population in Vancouver should be represented as well.

If you haven't noticed we have a First Nation's
The mascots are supposed to be cute to appeal to children. If the Koreans or Japanese have figured out a better way to make things look cute, what's the problem?

There has been a recent change to appeal to children because money can be easily milked from people. However, the mascot represented way more in the past.

FYI Korea is in East Asia... I hope I just misread your post and you didn't actually think Korea is in West Asia.

My bad, meant the other way around. I wanted to say I don't see the west/south Asian community represented, which is pretty big.


They've already explained that the names are from first nation's languages, not Japanese. A lot of cultures attach the sound "eee" sound to the end of names to make them sound cute.

Ok, so I will have to explain this to every single person that asks me about the mascot? Most people will think that they are Japanese names...in fact, most people asked about the mascots have said that.

[zivan56]

May i ask you a questionl;
How long have you been in canada?
dont you know that the first nations were the first people in Canadian West coast,
even if that doesnt matter,
they artist doing this or the group producing this,
must keep everyone happy by having some of this or some of that,
orelse if it doesnt some specific group of people,
those whiney people is gona go protesting and wanting change,
thats what people call by being "multicultural"

May I ask you...have you actually read the thread? I AM FOR MAKING THEM MORE MULTICULTURAL AND LESS UNICULTURAL. The native population doesn't represent the whole of Vancouver...and more diversity should have been at the forefront. That being said, most people will think they represent Asian people when they first see them.
Btw, I recommend a spell checker, it'll do wonders for you. Also, the edit post button is your friend...use it.

[aberrate]

I don't think the mascots have to necessarily represent every substantial visible minority group in BC...if that was the case then we'd need a lot more than 3 mascots. I like the theme because they are based on something that everyone in BC can appreciate: its wildlife. And yes, I do realise that one is a Sasquatch and another is a hybrid animal of sorts, but I think that makes it fun! THe First Nations inspiration is very noticeable, yet not alienating in that I think any kid can relate to these things.
Regarding the issue of whether these mascots' names sound too "Japanese", and whether more "neutral' names should be selected...well, first of all there's not such thing as a name with neutral meaning, and the "Japanese-ness" is probably a coincidental result of romanticizing non-European languages.

[nova9]

I LOVE the mascots. Well, not love but certainly think they're even better than Beijing's. They're cool, simple, and TOTALLY marketable - which is the whole point right? Children like it and thus, prodcut sold. I'd say that'd be a huge win for VANOC whether you think this motivation for design is right or not.

Most people are just going to react so negatively to something they really don't care about. All I can say is those people aren't supporters anyway so who cares?

[zivan56]

Most people are just going to react so negatively to something they really don't care about. All I can say is those people aren't supporters anyway so who cares?

That may be true for a small amount of people. However, for me, it's a insult to be represented by something like this. I am all for the Olympics, but the logo and this was the last straw. The people deciding all this are a select few, and the rest of us have no say in OUR Olympic games. Previous Olympic games were more inclusive and involved the people actually living in the host city/province/state/country. I see none of the cultural benefits coming from these games, and very little promotion of the place where the games will actually be held.
Overall, they are turning out to be bland, purely capitalistic, and completely profit oriented. I mean, $1000 for the opening ceremonies? I can understand charging a foreigner that, but we practically paid for all that and now we have to shell out the same amount just to see it in person? I was pretty excited about the Olympics coming, but now I wish it wasn't awarded to us at all...

[nova9]

Maybe I've been living in Vancouver too long but I never wanted the Olympics for sports. I wanted them for purely selfish reasons - it was kinda just a 'why not?' kind of thing.

The one thing that gets to me is how people don't see the veiled racism when they say things like "Are these Asian games?" or "Are we in Hong Kong?" when they see the mascots. I dare them say that to me personally. Without the people and money from Hong Kong, Vancouver would be NOTHING!!!

The mascots are cute. Just because they happen to have design aesthetics from Japanese (let's be specific here too!!) cartoon does not mean it's a slap in the face to white Canadians. It just happens that Japanese design is awesome. Since when have Canadians been so picky about originality?

Anyway, why do people find so much joy in complaining and whining. It's like the favourite thing for Vnacouverites to do. It's so unattractive and a sign of unsophistication. Whining over something they have no power to change. Just accept it and move on. doesn't mean you have to stop hating it but just this attitude that Vancouverites have about things they cannot control is soooooo typical of this city.

[mr.x]

The people deciding all this are a select few, and the rest of us have no say in OUR Olympic games.

VANOC opened the doors to the Canadian public to let them design the Olympic logo. They got 1,700 entrees, chose a panel of local judges from related fields and then that was how the Inukshuk logo was decided.

People didn't like the logo when it was first unveiled, and so, VANOC didn't want to risk it again so they hired firms to design the Paralympic logo and now, the mascots.


Overall, they are turning out to be bland, purely capitalistic, and completely profit oriented.

Well, it's either being capitalistic or having taxpayers foot out more if there's a deficit. VANOC needs to raise about $50 million from royalties in merchandise sales. They knew a lot was at stake, and I can assure you that sales for the HBC clothing line aren't doing too well right now.

However, ideas are being pooled across the country and from groups on how to stage the opening/closing/medals ceremonies.



I mean, $1000 for the opening ceremonies?

$1,000 are the best seats in the house, which is consistent with the prices in Sydney, Salt Lake, Athens, and Torino. In fact, it was even more expensive in those cities.



I see none of the cultural benefits coming from these games, and very little promotion of the place where the games will actually be held.

It's IOC rules that an organizing committee cannot fully promote itself until about two years before the Games. In this case, when Beijing 2008 is over. VANOC's marketing plan has barely begun, next year should be huge for us....including the start of the Cultural Olympiad.

[zonie]

I really like the art style. It reminds me of the video game Zelda: The Wind Waker, and that's a good thing! Flat-shaded, bright, clean, and no outlines. The cartoon's animation seems to be computer-generated cel-shading, which is well done. The mascots also nicely match the style of our Olympic & Paralympic logos.

http://i3.tinypic.com/6jf1qte.jpg

[mr.x]

if VANOC ever made a computer/video game, the mascots would be great characters.

i'd imagine VANOC would want to sign a contract with Nintendo to make a Winter Games Super Mario Game. Beijing did it for a Summer Games Super Mario.

or maybe with local EA since all recent Games have had their own video games.

[zivan56]

VANOC opened the doors to the Canadian public to let them design the Olympic logo. They got 1,700 entrees, chose a panel of local judges from related fields and then that was how the Inukshuk logo was decided.


The first logo was OK, but the current one is horrible. They could have had 1 million entrees, that doesn't mean the judges were representative of the people of Vancouver and their choice.


People didn't like the logo when it was first unveiled, and so, VANOC didn't want to risk it again so they hired firms to design the Paralympic logo and now, the mascots.

Of course they didn't, because they didn't have their say in it. We got lucky with the Paraolympic logo being somewhat fitting, but the mascots are not.



Well, it's either being capitalistic or having taxpayers foot out more if there's a deficit. VANOC needs to raise about $50 million from royalties in merchandise sales. They knew a lot was at stake, and I can assure you that sales for the HBC clothing line aren't doing too well right now.


Actually, we are getting the worst of both: too capitalistic/cold and we are footing the bill. Gotta love that...

However, ideas are being pooled across the country and from groups on how to stage the opening/closing/medals ceremonies.

I hope that they get this right. The closing ceremonies preview in Torino was horrible...I've had someone tell me in Europe this summer that they didn't know that Eskimos lived that far south.





$1,000 are the best seats in the house, which is consistent with the prices in Sydney, Salt Lake, Athens, and Torino. In fact, it was even more expensive in those cities.


Well we are already paying for the ceremonies whether we go or not. The least they could do is lower the ticket for Vancouver/BC/Canadian residents depending on the tax load.


It's IOC rules that an organizing committee cannot fully promote itself until about two years before the Games. In this case, when Beijing 2008 is over. VANOC's marketing plan has barely begun, next year should be huge for us....including the start of the Cultural Olympiad.

I certainly hope so.

[mr.x]

The first logo was OK, but the current one is horrible. They could have had 1 million entrees, that doesn't mean the judges were representative of the people of Vancouver and their choice.

Which OCOG ever let the public decide on their own logo? it's non-existant.



Of course they didn't, because they didn't have their say in it. We got lucky with the Paraolympic logo being somewhat fitting, but the mascots are not.

that's not really the case. People thought it was ugly (including myself for the first year or so), comparing it to things like gumbo or the giant thing in Ghostbusters.

the IOC told VANOC to market the Games as "Canada's Games" after there had been major marketing problems in Torino. TOROC had marketed it as a regional Piedmont province event with little focus on the rest of Italy, resulting in significantly lower than expected sponsorship revenues and a lack of public interest. In fact, many many Italians had no idea they were hosting the Games days before the opening....with Canada, a 2005 poll showed 80% knew about Vancouver 2010. And so, VANOC told the judges to choose a unique national symbol....and the judges chose an Inukshuk, which was inspired by the English Bay inukshuk.



Actually, we are getting the worst of both: too capitalistic/cold and we are footing the bill. Gotta love that...

Well, public sources are only funding venues and security....and VANOC's budget only accounts for venues which is about $600 million. Private sponsorship, ticketing revenue, merchandising, etc. accounts for a huge $1.35 billion of the rest of VANOC's revenues....this is used to develop the mascots, logo, stage the ceremonies, administration, salaries, etc.



I hope that they get this right. The closing ceremonies preview in Torino was horrible...I've had someone tell me in Europe this summer that they didn't know that Eskimos lived that far south.

Well, every host city hates their own handover. And there were certainly major flaws with that presentation....but note that the job of creating and directing that ceremony was given to the same guy that did the Calgary '88 and Victoria '94 ceremonies.....and ceremonies have changed quite a bit since. Not to mention that guy (forgot his name) was not chosen to be part of the ceremony creative team.

We have David Atkins on board with this....he made masterpieces in Sydney, Manchester, Melbourne, and Doha....i have no doubt that Vancouver will be the same. What happened in Torino is also why we have an experienced foreigner on board....there isn't enough Canadian experience to do this thing all by ourselves, as ceremonies have changed quite a bit since we last hosted one.



Well we are already paying for the ceremonies whether we go or not. The least they could do is lower the ticket for Vancouver/BC/Canadian residents depending on the tax load.

haha...are you kidding? not gonna happen.




I certainly hope so.

every host city is quiet for the first 4-5 years, it's not just Vancouver.

[Joe P]

I'm surprised people are actually bitching about the designs resembling that of Asian artwork.

I though that in a multiculturally-proud country like Canada we'd never have this problem. Guess I was wrong...

Doesn't matter though. The haters will always hate. I have no doubt in my mind that Vancouver will produce a memorable Games. I think the IOC believes that as well.

[Overground]

I think they are great and I'm usually the first person in line to dislike Olympic mascots.

The first thing that did come to my mind when I saw them is that they look like east Asian art work. And the names do seem slightly Japanese. Sumi is a Japanese word meaning several things. Mi and ga separated are words...fruit moth. And kuwa-chi separated is many hoes.

I think this is really cool and a marketing win for Vanoc!

[spongeg]

they went on sale today at the Bay and Zellers and Sales ahve been brisk according to the news - seems they are a hit - from what i saw on the TV quatchi was being picked up the most

the bay has an exclusivity deal until the end of Dec 2007 after that other stores can if they want sell them and the mascots will be able to license or something than as well

[mr.x]

i was at the Bay at around noon, a whole shelf of Miga toys had already gone and quite a few Quatchi and Sumi toys were also gone. I was surprised by the good quality....Quatchi was awesome, and huge....but expensive, $40. The other two go at $30.

There were a lot of people checking out the stuff and the new mascot clothes. Quite a bit of media presence and HBC staff presence as well...Channel M and Global were there.