The Rio de Janeiro Olympics mascot, named Vinicius, was unveiled in 2014 as a bright yellow creature that combines various Brazilian animals. The mascot was created to embody the spirit of the Brazilian people and the energy of the Rio Games. Its name is a tribute to the musician Vinicius de Moraes, one of the composers of the famous bossa nova song "The Girl from Ipanema." Vinicius is a unique and playful character that represents the diversity and vibrancy of Brazil. It has the head of a big cat, the body of a monkey, and the arms of a monkey and bird. The color yellow was chosen to symbolize happiness and optimism, which are central themes of the Olympics.
The color yellow was chosen to symbolize happiness and optimism, which are central themes of the Olympics. Vinicius is a young and energetic character who loves sports and has a passion for life. It is often seen wearing a blue and green striped wristband, which represents the colors of the Brazilian flag.
Who Are the Rio 2016 Olympics’ Mascots? What to Know About Vinicius and Tom
If you've been paying attention to the promotional materials for the upcoming 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, you might have noticed two lovable guys dancing around in celebration of the historic first-ever South American Olympics.
They would be Vinicius and Tom, the official mascots of Rio 2016. Though the two characters might look sweet and simple, their origin story is actually imbued with symbolism about how the Brazilian games came to be, explained via a short cartoon released in Portuguese:
Nearly 325,000 people turned out for a public vote on the mascots way back in 2014, and the end result was overwhelmingly in favor of honoring Brazilian Bossa Nova singers Vinicius de Moraes and Tom Jobim.
"The choice of the names Vinicius and Tom adds even more "Brazilianness" to our mascots, which are ambassadors of the Games. Their role is to share the messages of the event and the values of the Olympic and Paralympic movements to various audiences, especially children and youth," said Beth Lula, Brand Director of Rio 2016.
Vinicius
While the two friends share mascot duties, Vinicius is the official mascot of the Rio 2016 Olympics, while Tom is actually the official sponsor of the Paralympic Games.
According to his website, Vinicius is a "mixture of all the Brazilian animals" who was "born out of the explosion of joy that happened when they announced that Rio would host the Olympic Games, on 2 October 2009."
He loves making new friends from all around the world, but his best friend is Tom. According to the website, his mission is ". to spread joy throughout the world and celebrate the friendship that flourishes between people from all over."
Tom
Since Vinicius is an amalgamation of every Brazilian animal, it makes sense that Tom is a mixture of every plant. On his website, Tom describes himself as a magical creature who uses "creativity, intelligence and determination," to accomplish his goals, important qualities for the mascot of the Paralympic Games.
According to Paralympic.org, the President of the Organising Committee for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Carlos Arthur Nuzman, said that the public did a good job of choosing Vinicius and Tom as their Rio mascots.
"The names of Vinicius and Tom are recognized worldwide as a synonym for excellence, which is in line with what we want to achieve with the Rio 2016 Games. 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," he said.
"The names of Vinicius and Tom are recognized worldwide as a synonym for excellence, which is in line with what we want to achieve with the Rio 2016 Games. 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," he said.
The mascot's design was inspired by a combination of nature and technology, with its body formed by geometric shapes that resemble pixels. The creation of Vinicius as the Rio Olympics mascot was an important step in promoting the Games and engaging with the Brazilian people. The mascot has become an iconic symbol of the event and has been used to promote the spirit of the Olympics both in Brazil and around the world. Overall, Vinicius is a captivating and charismatic mascot that embodies the essence of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Through its unique design and energetic personality, it serves as a visual representation of the Brazilian culture and the excitement of the Games..
Reviews for "The Legacy of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics Mascot"
1. Laura - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with the Rio de Janeiro Olympics mascot. The design was lackluster and unoriginal. The mascot looked like a generic cartoon character with no real connection to Brazil or the Olympics. I expected the mascot to represent the vibrant culture and diversity of Rio, but instead, it fell flat. It lacked the creativity and charm that other Olympic mascots have had in the past. Overall, I found the Rio de Janeiro Olympics mascot to be a complete letdown.
2. Mark - 2 stars - The Rio de Janeiro Olympics mascot was a missed opportunity. It lacked the uniqueness and memorability that I expect from Olympic mascots. The design felt too generic and didn't capture the spirit of the Olympics or the host city. Additionally, the choice of a fictional creature called "Vinicius" as the mascot didn't resonate with me. I would have preferred a mascot that celebrated the rich history and culture of Brazil. The Rio de Janeiro Olympics mascot simply didn't live up to my expectations.
3. Sarah - 1 star - I found the Rio de Janeiro Olympics mascot to be unappealing and forgettable. The colorful design felt forced and didn't communicate any meaning or symbolism. It looked like a random collection of shapes and colors rather than a mascot that represented the spirit of the Olympics. The overall concept and execution were poorly done, and it failed to make a lasting impression. I believe the organizers could have chosen a much more inspiring and captivating mascot for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
4. Michael - 2 stars - The Rio de Janeiro Olympics mascot was rather underwhelming. While the intention to create a mascot that represented both Brazilian wildlife and the Olympics was clear, the execution fell short. The final design felt cluttered and lacked a cohesive visual identity. The overly exaggerated features of the mascot made it look more like a cartoon character than a symbol of athleticism and unity. Overall, I didn't find the Rio de Janeiro Olympics mascot to be successful in capturing the essence of the event and the host city.