RUSSIA - FIFA World Cup 2018

[Alphaville]

Originally Posted by Calvin W

As for whether the best city won or not. The answers is yes it did. Vancouver wasn't the best city when it bid by far yet they will soon be hosting the games next is Russia's turn. Good for them.

Eh? In the 2010 race Vancouver simply was the best bid on offer. Pyeongchang simply didn't have the stamina to take on an international city like Vancouver. The IOC is shying away from hosting the Winter Games in villages like Pyeongchang and looking to small/mid sized cities. Those days ended after Lillehammer in 1994.

Vancouver was the best choice for 2010. Salzburg and Pyeongchang never stood a chance.

[lpioe]

Any pics of the venues?

[isaidso]

Honestly, I was expecting boring regurgitated crap, but VANOC got these bang on. They are going to sell very well.

[Mo Rush]

Originally Posted by Alphaville

Eh? In the 2010 race Vancouver simply was the best bid on offer. Pyeongchang simply didn't have the stamina to take on an international city like Vancouver. The IOC is shying away from hosting the Winter Games in villages like Pyeongchang and looking to small/mid sized cities. Those days ended after Lillehammer in 1994.

Vancouver was the best choice for 2010. Salzburg and Pyeongchang never stood a chance.

I think he meant based on the IOC technical evaluation.

[isaidso]

It's about time Russia got the Winter Olympics. Russia has been a major Olympics powerhouse for a very long time. I hope they find a way of giving the games to Finland and Sweden in the near future. Both of these nations deserve to host also.

[Zorba]

Quatchi will eat the other ones before the Olympics begin....

[Ari Gold]

I might be bias but is this the only decent bunch of mascots?

Sydney



As for VAN2020, well their pretty decent.

[lpioe]

I like them, especially the big one.

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by Zorba

Quatchi will eat the other ones before the Olympics begin....

Well, Quatchi is outselling the other 2 put together.

AriGold:

What's VAN2020? The Vancouver Games are in 2 years, not 12. As far as the Sydney mascots go, perhaps you are right about being biased. Those mascots couldn't possibly have sold very well. If I am wrong, my apologies, but they look something out of the 19th century. Did people buy those? Honestly, your own pic would probably sell better.

[benchjade]

they look like japanese cartoons.

[isaidso]

Japanese animation has had alot of influence on western culture. I grew up with this kind of imagery, so to me, it doesn't feel foreign at all. I do see the association though. These creatures pay homage to British Columbia wildlife and BC First Nations culture. The names are First Nations as is a Thunderbird.

Vanoc were smart to go with this style. It appeals to the target market, kids, but also to a huge segment of the Vancouver market and consumers in Asia.

Quatchi - Depending on size, $30-40



Sumi - depending on size, $25-30



Miga - depending on size, $25-30



Vancouver 2010 Mascot Book - This 32 page book tells the story about the Olympic and Paralympic mascots for Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. $15.00



Mascot Boys Pop-over Hoodie Sweater. $40.00




$18.00




$50.00


YouTube video of the mascot promotion video:


The promo video is fantastic. You can almost envision it becoming a global sensation as a kids cartoon, video game, and clothing line, etc.

[Ari Gold]

Originally Posted by isaidso

What's VAN2020? The Vancouver Games are in 2 years, not 12. As far as the Sydney mascots go, perhaps you are right about being biased. Those mascots couldn't possibly have sold very well. If I am wrong, my apologies, but they look something out of the 19th century. Did people buy those? Honestly, your own pic would probably sell better.

Yeah i know the games are in two years as the mascots are already out. Like how many mascots do you see 12 years out from the actual event?

As for the Sydney part... well they actually look like mascots. Not some stupid stick figure with happy faces on them. These are actual animals and represent something and somewhere. Heck even the names represent something.

Oh and yes the pic of Ari Gold would bring sheer enjoyment to everyone.

[isaidso]

What does actual mascot mean? Mascots are supposed to be real animals? Not sure where you got that idea. A mascot is "a person or thing that is supposed to bring good luck or that is used to symbolize a particular event or organization". Perhaps read IOC literature. Their definition is practically the same.

Besides, a Thunderbird has huge significance to Canadian First Nations people. A sasquatch is part of local folklore, and the other creature represents 2 BC animals. It is actually fitting that it is a mixture. That pays homage to not only First Nation's culture, but the Canadian reality. In addition, their names are taken from local First Nations languages.

"Stupid stick figure": You should also keep in mind that Olympic mascots are for children, not you and I. They aren't meant to be intellectually stimulating to an adult. The purpose is merchandising revenue generation. I doubt the IOC finds them stupid. They sold out in minutes.

Who ever Ari Gold is, he's certainly more appealing than those mascots you posted, but everyone's taste is different.

[Anberlin]

LOL! They're awesome. They're cute! In my opinion, best mascots ever.

[Ari Gold]

Originally Posted by isaidso

What does actual mascot mean? Mascots are supposed to be real animals? Not sure where you got that idea. A mascot is "a person or thing that is supposed to bring good luck or that is used to symbolize a particular event or organization". Perhaps read IOC literature. Their definition is practically the same.

Maybe i phrased it wrong but what i meant was "Arent mascots meant to represent something significant?" Not exactly sure about each set of mascots history and story etc but some of them just seem to represent nothing.

Besides, a Thunderbird has huge significance to Canadian First Nations people. A sasquatch is part of local folklore, and the other creature represents 2 BC animals. It is actually fitting that it is a mixture. That pays homage to not only First Nation's culture, but the Canadian reality. In addition, their names are taken from local First Nations languages.

Well I did say these look pretty good.

"Stupid stick figure": You should also keep in mind that Olympic mascots are for children, not you and I. They aren't meant to be intellectually stimulating to an adult. The purpose is merchandising revenue generation. I doubt the IOC finds them stupid. They sold out in minutes.

Im aware of that. But im sure kids would appeal more to a Kangaroo or Koala bear then some stick-man.

[isaidso]

Fair enough. This is probably a case of your familiarity and appreciation with Australian culture/history and mine with Canadian. Imagery can seem puzzling and pointless to a foreigner until you dig a little deeper.

What is important is that they appeal to Canadians first, are rooted in Canadian culture/history, have significance to Canadians, sell well, and have as broad an appeal as possible beyond our borders once these criteria are met. It's quite possible that the 2010 VANOC mascots won't appeal to Australian sensibilities, but it's impossible to appeal to everyone.

The Canadian version of a Kangaroo or Koala would have been a bear, caribou (reindeer), wolf, polar bear, bison (buffalo), or moose, but there was significant interest in Canada to move beyond traditional stereotypes and imagery. The introduction of these mascots to the world was an attempt to inject a level of creativity and broadened the scope of what one traditionally associates with Canada by incorporating often overlooked symbols.

[PejatBR]

nice !

[Lydon]

Haha I love them!

[Jim856796]

Should we make this an official thread for the 2014 Winter Olympics, or is there already an official thread?

[El Vampiro Ucraniano]

I like the venues, don't like the location!

Khanty-Mansiysk!!! Sochi is a summer resort, giving them winter Olympics was stupid, it should have been held in Siberia!