Meet the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Mascots: Miga, Quatchi, and Sumi

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic mascot figures were an important aspect of the Winter Olympics held in Vancouver, Canada. These mascot figures are known as Miga, Quatchi, and Sumi, each representing different aspects of Canadian culture and wildlife. Miga is a sea bear representing the orca and Kermode bear, Quatchi is a sasquatch representing the mythological creature of the same name, and Sumi is an animal guardian spirit representing different species native to Canada. These mascot figures were designed to connect with both local and international audiences and promote the spirit of the Winter Olympics. They played a significant role in creating excitement and capturing the attention of spectators and participants alike. The mascots were featured in various promotional events, advertisements, and merchandise, becoming iconic symbols of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.

The mascots were featured in various promotional events, advertisements, and merchandise, becoming iconic symbols of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. Miga, Quatchi, and Sumi were not just fun and friendly characters; they also had underlying messages. Miga symbolized the cooperation between land and sea, representing the connection between Vancouver and the surrounding environment.

Could the Witch-king be killed without a Barrow-blade?

It seems to be widely assumed (see, e.g., https://middle-earth.xenite.org/could-earnur-have-slain-the-lord-of-the-nazgul/) that the Witch-king would have been somehow invulnerable to Éowyn's sword had he not been stabbed by Merry's Barrow-blade first; this apparently somehow "eliminated" his "shield", making him vulnerable to normal weapons. The basis for this is the passage in The Return of the King:

No other blade, not though mightier hands had wielded it, would have dealt that foe a wound so bitter, cleaving the undead flesh, breaking the spell that knit his unseen sinews to his will.”

I'm not convinced by this. No-one ever says the Nazgûl are unkillable, and in fact Aragorn says the Nazgûl have "no power against the fearless", which doesn't fit well with being actually undamageable without some kind of magic sword. They get driven off by Aragorn and Glorfindel wielding torches! I'd interpret the RotK passage as meaning that the Witch-king was only brought to his knees and unable to stop Éowyn's killing blow because he was stabbed by a magic Arnor sword, which was more damaging then expected. Is there any further evidence that some kind of magic sword (if not one made specifically for the purpose in Arnor) would be essential to killing him?

• tolkiens-legendarium
• the-lord-of-the-rings

If the evidence of Tolkien explicitly saying something in a work published during his lifetime with his cooperation is not convincing, then what would be?

Without the Barrow-blade specifically? Probably. Without some "magic" means of breaking the hold of his ring over his spirit? Unlikely.

@AKA -- I used the word "work" in its noun sense of productive output, which includes written materials. In case I still am unclear I'm speaking specifically of Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, published during his lifetime with his cooperation, including reading and marking up galley proofs.

It's not that the Nazgul have no power against the fearless: "They have no great physical power against the fearless; " In other words, if you are totally without fear, you need not be more concerned about one of them killing you than a regular guy with a sword and a few thousand years of practice. It tells us nothing at all about how hard they are themselves to kill.

@AKA: In this letter, Tolkien is talking about how their main "power" is generating fear: Their peril is almost entirely due to the unreasoning fear which they inspire (like ghosts). They have no great physical power against the fearless; but what they have, and the fear that they inspire, is enormously increased in darkness.

Quatchi, inspired by a legendary creature, embodied the spirit of Canadian wilderness and adventure. Sumi, the animal guardian spirit, highlighted the importance of environmental stewardship and the conservation of wildlife. The selection of these mascot figures was a result of an extensive process involving input from the public and key stakeholders. The aim was to create mascots that would resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds, symbolizing the diversity and inclusivity of the Olympics. Overall, the Vancouver 2010 Olympic mascot figures played a vital role in promoting the Winter Olympics and representing Canadian culture. They captured the imagination of people worldwide and left a lasting impact on the event's legacy..

Reviews for "Exploring the History of Vancouver 2010 Olympic Mascot Figures"

1. Jane - 1/5 stars - I was really disappointed with the Vancouver 2010 Olympic mascot figures. They were poorly designed and looked nothing like the actual mascots. The quality of the figures was also subpar, with paint chipping off and parts easily breaking. I expected more from an official Olympic merchandise and it's disheartening to see such low-quality products being sold.

2. Mark - 2/5 stars - I wasn't a fan of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic mascot figures. The design of the figures seemed generic and lacked creativity. They didn't capture the spirit and essence of the Olympic mascots. Additionally, the price for these figures was quite high compared to their quality. Overall, I think there was a missed opportunity to create unique and memorable merchandise for such a significant event.

3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I purchased the Vancouver 2010 Olympic mascot figures and I wasn't impressed. The figures looked poorly made and lacked attention to detail. The paint job was sloppy, and some of the figures even had noticeable defects. I expected better craftsmanship, especially for the official Olympic merchandise. It felt like a cash grab rather than a genuine effort to create meaningful memorabilia for the event.

Vancouver 2010 Olympic Mascot Figures: A Look Back at Their Design