The Vancouver 2010 Olympics have unvailed the names of the three critters who will meet and greet all athletes, visitors and fans at the 2010 Olympic Games which will be held in Vancouver and Whistler.

Quatchi the Sasquatch, Miga the Sea Bear and Sumi the Thunderbird are all different and special both in personality and in appearance. The mythical and adorable creatures are the work of Vicki Wong and Michael Murphy. One is a sasquatch, gentle and shy ... one is small, mischievous sea-bear and the other is an animal guardian spirit, a natural-born leader with a passion for protecting the environment. They are all, to say the least, unique.

There was a method to the creative madness that spawned such imaginative critters, they wanted mascots that could achieve a great deal. John Furlong, Chief Executive Officer of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), said “They had to appeal to children from all over the world, they needed to represent the people, geography, and spirit of British Columbia and Canada, and they had to personify the values and essence of the 2010 Winter Games… In short, they needed to be many things all at once and we think they are."

A total of 177 professionals from around the world (including Canada, Australia, Austria, Brazil, France, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States) expressed their interest in submitting a proposal, including credentials and a portfolio of previous work. Five were invited to Vancouver to meet the VANOC team to present their creative abilities and credentials and eventually, one designer’s concepts were selected – to become the Vancouver 2010 mascots.

The mascots have been revealed to the public and the world during a special theatrical event which was held for 800 schoolchildren in the nearby city of Surrey, British Columbia. Also, a global audience of thousands have met the mascots ‘virtually’ through the Vancouver 2010 official website.

It is hoped that the mascots will become cherished icons, especially for children. They are to become a symbol of the 2010 Olympic Games, the country of Canada and their moment on the world stage.

---