A mascot is a symbol or character that represents a specific event or organization. The mascot for the 2016 Olympics, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was Vinicius. Vinicius was a combination of different Brazilian animals, with a focus on representing biodiversity. Vinicius was designed to embody the spirit of the Olympics and the Brazilian culture. The name Vinicius was chosen as a tribute to Vinicius de Moraes, a famous Brazilian poet and composer. The mascot had a vibrant and energetic appearance, with a mixture of different colors.
Vinicius possesses the agility of cat, the balancing skills of a monkey and the grace of a bird. He is capable of stretching out his arms and legs as long as he wants, and he has a heightened sense of smell and hearing. When creating him, his designers drew inspiration from pop culture as well as video game and cartoon characters. With his colleague Tom, the mascot for the Paralympic Games, Vinicius represents the diversity of Brazilian culture and people, as well as their exuberant nature. He was officially unveiled to the public on 23 November 2014, but he did not yet have a name.
It was at that point that 320,000 fans of the Olympic Games had their say on the mascot s name, voting for one of three shortlisted names Oba, Tuque and Vinicius. According to an animation of their origin story by Design and Animation team, Birdo Produções, they were born when an explosion of Brazillian joy lit up the sky when Rio was chosen to host the Games in 2016 back on October 2, 2009 at the 121st IOC Session In Copenhagen, Denmark.
The mascot had a vibrant and energetic appearance, with a mixture of different colors. Vinicius represented the harmony between different animals and celebrated the diverse wildlife found in Brazil. The mascot had the body of a cat, the agility of a monkey, and the flexibility of a bird.
Vinicius and Tom are the names chosen for Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic mascots
The Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games mascots have been named. The Olympic mascot will be called Vinicius and the Paralympic mascot will be called Tom. The names were chosen by a public vote with 323, 327 votes cast.
The names, which received 44 per cent of valid votes, pay tribute to the great Brazilian musicians and composers Vinicius de Moraes and Tom Jobim. The duo were a key part of the group that created Bossa Nova. Together, Vinicius and Tom wrote The Girl from Ipanema, one of the most-played songs of all time, and many other bossa nova classics..
Vinicius and Tom were chosen ahead of the other two shortlisted pairs of names: Oba and Eba, and Tiba Tuque and Esquindim.
Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman said the public had chosen names that reflect the character of the Rio 2016 Games. “The names of Vinicius and Tom are recognised worldwide as a synonym for excellence, which is in line with what we want to achieve with the Rio 2016 Games,” he said. “In addition to representing the Brazilian fauna and flora, our mascots also connect to the best of our music. We are certain that they will be an inspiration to the youth.”
The origin of the Rio 2016 mascots blends fiction and reality. According to the “legend”, on 2 October 2009, when Rio de Janeiro was elected to host the Games, the great explosion of joy amongst Brazilians was felt by nature and from this energy the mascots were born.
Vinicius, the Rio 2016 Olympic Games mascot, represents all of the different animals in Brazil. He combines the agility of cats, the sway of monkeys and the grace of birds. He can stretch his arms and legs as much as he wants and has a very acute sense of smell and amazing powers of hearing.
Tom, the Paralympic mascot, is a fusion of plants found in Brazilian forests. He is energised by photosynthesis and can pull any object from his head of leaves. He is always growing and overcoming obstacles, and believes there is no challenge that cannot be solved.
The origin of the Rio 2016 mascots blends fiction and reality. According to the “legend”, on 2 October 2009, when Rio de Janeiro was elected to host the Games, the great explosion of joy amongst Brazilians was felt by nature and from this energy the mascots were born.
It also had elements of other animals like a dash of the grace of a fish and a touch of the strength of a jaguar. The design of Vinicius aimed to resonate with both children and adults. It had a friendly and approachable look, with big eyes and a big smile. The use of bright colors made the mascot visually appealing and helped to create a sense of excitement and joy. Vinicius played an essential role in promoting the 2016 Olympics. The mascot was featured in various merchandise, including toys, clothing, and souvenirs. It also appeared in commercials, advertisements, and on social media platforms, creating awareness and generating interest in the upcoming Games. Overall, Vinicius, the mascot for the 2016 Olympics, was a representation of the vibrant Brazilian culture and the diversity of the country's wildlife. It played a crucial role in building excitement for the Games and became a symbol that was widely recognized and appreciated by people around the world..
Reviews for "The Impact of Olympic Mascots on Merchandise Sales"
1. Jenna - 2 stars - I really didn't connect with the mascot for the 2016 Olympics. It looked like some kind of weird alien creature rather than a representation of the host country, Brazil. The bright yellow color was definitely eye-catching, but overall, the design felt disjointed and confusing. I couldn't understand how it was supposed to symbolize the spirit and energy of the games. In comparison to mascots from previous Olympics, this one fell flat for me.
2. Ryan - 1 star - The mascot for the 2016 Olympics was a major disappointment. It was way too cartoonish and childish for my taste. I expected something more sophisticated and representative of the rich Brazilian culture. The creature just seemed random and unrelated to the theme of the games. I found it difficult to take seriously, and it did nothing to enhance my excitement for the event.
3. Lisa - 2 stars - As a Brazilian, I was really looking forward to seeing a powerful and captivating mascot for the 2016 Olympics. Unfortunately, I was left disappointed. The chosen mascot seemed like a desperate attempt to appeal to younger audiences with its exaggerated features and flashy colors. It lacked the elegance and grace that I associate with Brazil's culture and heritage. I understand the desire to be modern and innovative, but this mascot missed the mark for me.
4. Mark - 3 stars - While I didn't hate the mascot for the 2016 Olympics, I also didn't love it. It appeared too generic and lacked the charm and uniqueness of mascots from previous games. I struggled to find a strong connection between the mascot and Brazil's identity. It felt like an opportunity was missed to showcase the beauty and diversity of the host country. Overall, it was just an average mascot that failed to leave a lasting impression.
5. Sarah - 2 stars - The mascot for the 2016 Olympics was just plain strange. It had a weird combination of different animal features that didn't seem to make any sense. The design felt cluttered, and I couldn't figure out where to focus my attention. It lacked the simplicity and elegance that I appreciate in mascots, and overall, it was a forgettable addition to the games.