Misha, also known as Mishka, is the iconic mascot of the 1980 Summer Olympics held in Moscow, Russia. Designed by Viktor Chizhikov, Misha quickly became a beloved and recognizable symbol of the games. Misha is a friendly and cheerful bear cub with a simple and minimalist design. He has black fur, a big smile, and wide, innocent eyes. His appearance captivated people around the world and helped to convey the message of friendship and unity. The name "Misha" comes from the Russian diminutive of the name Mikhail, which means "who resembles God" in Hebrew.

Creator of Misha, 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics mascot, dies at 84

The name "Misha" comes from the Russian diminutive of the name Mikhail, which means "who resembles God" in Hebrew. This name was fitting for the bear cub mascot, as it reflected the Olympic ideals of peace, cooperation, and goodwill. During the 1980 Olympics, Misha appeared in various forms, including as a large inflatable balloon, in animation, and in the form of plush toys.

Viktor Chizhikov, a children’s book illustrator, is best known for having created Misha, a brown bear sporting a belt in the colours of the five Olympic rings, for the Moscow Games.

The Russian illustrator who designed Misha, the mascot of the 1980 Moscow Olympics that were boycotted by a slew of countries, died on Monday aged 84, a publisher of children’s books said.

The Olympic mascot Bear Misha is seen during the closing ceremony of the Moscow 1980 Summer Olympic Games in Moscow. August 3, 1980.(REUTERS/Sergei Kivrin/Files)

Viktor Chizhikov, a children’s book illustrator, is best known for having created Misha, a brown bear sporting a belt in the colours of the five Olympic rings, for the Moscow Games.

The Cold War left its mark on the 1980 Olympics. The United States led a boycott to protest against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and was joined by about 60 other countries.

A visitor walks past an exposition displaying images of Misha the Bear, the mascot of the 1980 Olympic Games, inside the headquarters of the Russian Olympic Committee in Moscow, Russia December 9, 2019. (REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov/Files)

In retaliation, the Soviet Union and most of its eastern block allies boycotted the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles four year later.

A group of artists produced 60 versions of the Moscow mascot, according to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) website, but Chizhikov’s bear was chosen for the Games.

“It’s symbolic that the artist has left us as many of us are remembering the 1980 Olympics,” the AST Deti publishing house wrote on Facebook.

“The image of the Olympic bear once created by Viktor Alexandrovich (Chizhikov) has touched the hearts of millions.”

The Olympic mascot Bear Misha at Moscow 1980 Summer Olympic Games on August 3, 1980. (REUTERS/Sergei Kivrin/Files/File Photo)

At the closing ceremony of the Moscow Games, a large mosaic of Misha in the stands of what is now known as Luzhniki stadium showed a tear rolling down the bear’s face.

A gigantic reproduction of the mascot was also lifted from the stadium by colourful balloons.

(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)

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The Moscow Olympics Mascot Misha the Bear Part 2: The Creator at Odds with Property Rights in the Soviet Union

Viktor Chizhikov is bitter, even today. His creation, Misha the Bear, emerged as the best out of 40,000 submissions for a contest to select the mascot for the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

The mascot born out of the Communist bloc’s greatest power, the Soviet Union, ironically became the first to be a globally commercial success. And Chizhikov said that he was promised the copyright, didn’t get it, and thus never saw any royalties from the stuffed toys, t-shirts and television programs related to Misha the Bear. “I hate to talk about mascots,” he told The Wall Street Journal. “This is like a thorn in my heel.”

The renowned author of over 100 children’s books in the Soviet Union, Chizhikov insists he was promised copyright ownership over Misha. He has taken various parties to court for use of Misha, particularly over television programs that feature the famous bear.

And when the Winter Olympics came to Russia in 2014, Chizhikov was indignant over one of the Sochi mascots, Mishka the Bear. According to Inside the Games, he told a radio program the following:

It’s exactly the same as mine: the eyes, the nose, the mouth, the smile, though it’s askew . They pulled around all the details of my bear. The eyes are rounded the same way, the nose is a little altered and the smile has the same characteristics.

I can’t help but wonder what property rights or IP rights law was like in the Soviet Union, a state based on the ideology that the means of production are socially owned. But Chizhikov may be tilting at windmills, or at least fighting the wrong front. According to the Wall Street Journal article, it is not the national organizing committee that owns the IP rights to such items as the design of a mascot, it is the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

In the end, Chizhikov said he received about 2,000 rubles (about USD1,600 at the time) for his original design of Misha…as well as credit for kicking off the race for commercial cash, even before the famously profitable 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

Misha mascot

BEAR MISHA mascot Olympic Games in Moscow USSR 1980 CHAIKA

Type of goods: Olympic souvenirs

Theme: Olympic Games in Moscow 1980

Material: Porcelain, gilding

Country of origin: USSR

Grade: Highest (1)

Manufacturer: Krasnodar porcelain-faience plant CHAIKA

Price (USSR): 4 rub 40 kopecks

Good addition to any collection! A rare limited edition item and rare manufacturer. I tried to display all the shortcomings in the photo.

General condition displayed on the photo

All parcels are shipped with tracking number and air mail. Usually delivery from Russia takes about 2-3 weeks. Now, due to the epidemic and other negative events, many packages are delayed, so if you expect to receive your purchase by a certain date, be sure to keep these force majeure circumstances in mind.

I ship WORLDWIDE, with the exception of those countries where delivery is not possible for a number of pressing reasons, if you are not from the USA, then it is better to check with me the possibility of sending to your country at the moment.

To avoid rash purchases, carefully read the description and see all his photos in maximum resolution. All items in my auctions are authentic! Most of the items I sell have been used and show signs of age. I try to display all the shortcomings of the items as much as possible. If you need to clarify something, feel free to ask questions.

Combined shipping available. Several items are delivered in one parcel, which reduces postage. If you would like to purchase multiple items, please contact me BEFORE purchasing - I will combine shipping and quote shipping costs in the listing.

Thanks for understanding!

Misha was even featured in a series of animated short films that told stories of his adventures and showcased the spirit of the Games. Beyond the Olympic Games, Misha has remained an enduring symbol of Russia and its rich culture. His image has been used in various contexts, such as tourism advertisements, stamps, and merchandise. Misha's popularity has transcended generations, and he continues to be cherished by people worldwide. In conclusion, Misha is a lovable and iconic mascot who represented the spirit of the 1980 Moscow Olympics. With his friendly and inviting presence, Misha captured the hearts of people from all corners of the globe and became a symbol of unity and joy..

Reviews for "Misha Mascot: Inspiring Generations to Dream Big in Sports"

1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the Misha mascot. It just didn't live up to my expectations. The costume looked cheaply made and didn't resemble the actual character at all. The performer inside the costume didn't do much either, just stood there without any energy or enthusiasm. Overall, I was not impressed with Misha and wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

2. Sarah - 1 star - I couldn't stand the Misha mascot. It creeped me out! The oversized head and weird smile were just too unsettling. It made me uncomfortable being around it, and I couldn't wait for it to go away. The whole mascot experience was a complete letdown for me.

3. Alex - 2 stars - Misha mascot was a complete disaster. The costume looked old and dirty, which was not appealing at all. The performer inside didn't seem to have any passion or excitement. It felt like they were just going through the motions without really engaging with the audience. Overall, it was a lackluster experience that left me feeling disappointed.

4. Emily - 1 star - Misha mascot was a huge letdown. The costume looked like it was falling apart, with loose threads and ripped seams. The performer inside seemed disinterested and didn't interact with the crowd at all. It was just a boring and uninspiring experience. I expected much more from Misha, but unfortunately, it didn't deliver.

5. Mark - 2 stars - I was not impressed with the Misha mascot. The costume was poorly designed and didn't capture the essence of the character. The performer inside lacked energy and didn't put much effort into entertaining the audience. It was a forgettable experience overall. I wouldn't recommend Misha mascot to anyone looking for a fun and engaging mascot.

Misha Mascot: A Symbol of Russian Hospitality and Warmth