The 1980 Moscow Olympics had a unique and memorable mascot. Named Misha, the mascot was a cute and friendly bear that quickly captured the hearts of people around the world. Misha was designed by artist Victor Chizhikov and was chosen from over 30,000 submissions. Misha was meant to symbolize the spirit and hospitality of the Soviet Union. The bear was depicted engaging in various sports activities, including holding a gold medal, juggling, and even playing the balalaika. Misha's design was simple yet impactful, with its friendly smile and wide eyes.
Misha's design was simple yet impactful, with its friendly smile and wide eyes. The mascot became incredibly popular and was seen everywhere during the Olympics. Misha appeared on merchandise, souvenirs, and even on the official Olympic posters.
Bear necessity: Designing a mascot for the 1980 Moscow Olympics
Olympic Mishka, the mascot of the 1980 Summer Olympic Games in Moscow, welcomes visitors of Gorky Central Park. Moscow, USSR.
July 19, 1980 saw the opening of the Olympic Games in Moscow. The mascot for the event – a charming teddy bear with a belt of Olympic symbols – is still popular in many countries around the world. Its author, artist Viktor Chizhikov, tells the story of its creation.
Rossiyskaya Gazeta: How did the story of the Olympic mascot begin?
Viktor Chizhikov: I then worked at a children's publisher and knew nothing about the competition for the Olympic mascot. It all happened by chance. My friend was met by one of the leaders of the Russian Union of Artists, who told him about the competition, that the Olympic Committee had already received 40,000 versions of bears, but the jury could not find a suitable one.
And he suggested that children's artists also take part. The time limit was one month. In about a week, we drew pencil sketches – more than 100 bears – and took them to the Olympic Committee. After some time, my wife met my friend in the street and asked him: "Why are you so sad?" He answered: "I just found out that Vitka's [a diminutive of Viktor] bear passed, and mine didn't."
Viktor Chizhikov. Source: Vyacheslav Un Da-sin/TASS
RG: So they chose your sketch. And were there any special instructions afterward from the Communist Party to adjust the image?
V. C.: I had to draw a bear that was unlike any other bear drawn by thousands of artists. This is a difficult task, the one that was facing me. Our country should not have been in any case accused of plagiarism. And Mishka, thank God, passed the exam.
RG: Your Mishka is very different from those represented by the foreign press.
V. C.: A Russian bear was often used in political cartoons. It was an obscene, boorish bear. But I wanted to make an optimistic image, for it to appeal to the best human feelings. It took me long to convey the "Olympic" quality of Mishka. At first I thought of putting a multicolored cap on it – with each wedge of the color of the flag of the Olympics participating countries. But because of the cap, you could not see the ears. Hang medals around the neck? But they hang them on all mascots. The beaver in Canada also had medals.
They said I copied Mishka from my housemate, composer Valery Zubkov. I didn’t argue, a good man. In reality, I saw Mishka with an Olympic belt in a dream. It happened many times when I was working on an image. The main thing is to instantly wake up and draw it, or you forget it.
In August 1977, there was an exhibition in Moscow, where 64 bears were presented. The president of the IOC, Lord Michael Killanin, came. He looked and looked and suddenly stopped right by my work and said: "This is it!" I was told this by one journalist.
I got a call from the Olympic Committee only after a month, probably they were waiting for the party's approval: "Congratulations, your bear has been approved." That's the whole biography of the bear. However, it cost me a lot of nerves.
Olympic Mishka flying away from the Lenin Central Stadium during the closing ceremony of the 22nd Summer Olympic Games. Source: Semyon Maisterman and Nikolai Naumenkov/TASS
RG: You mean the copyright registration process?
V. C.: Nothing was legally formalized. I was asked to sign documents affirming that I had carried out the work under the title of "Funny Little Bear."
They gave me 1,300 rubles in the Olympic Committee's accounts department and some more money came to my bank account. In total, I received about 2,000 rubles [the average monthly salary in the USSR in 1980 was 120 rubles – RBTH].
The mascot shouldered over 90 percent of the Olympic propaganda. But that's not the main thing. After the 1980 Olympics, the world's attitude toward us significantly improved, and Mishka played a considerable role in this. I had an unusual mission, and I did a good job.
It was a rare stroke of luck. I love it like my own child. And I am very grateful to the director of the 1980 Olympics, Tumanov, for the great image of the bear in the stands. Remember when a tear rolls down its cheek? The likeness wasn’t distorted, which can't be said about the rubber Mishka that flew out of the stadium. I would set totally different proportions.
The image of Mishka was then replicated around the world. I wasn’t surprised when I saw it in a different guise: In the form of a bottle of perfume, for example, or on a box of matches. And in Prague, my Mishka promotes the Museum of Communism. It is depicted on a poster with a Kalashnikov assault rifle – although there is a hope for peace in the eyes of my Mishka.
Some merchant sailors told me that, when in Polynesia, they presented a poster with Mishka to a Papuan leader. Those were the places visited by [Russian explorer] Miklouho-Maclay. That's funny.
The article has been published in an abbreviated form. First published in Russian by Rossiyskay Gazeta.
Read more: Cheburashka: Fun facts about Russia's iconic furry character>>>
The mascot was also featured in various animated films and TV shows during the event. One of the most memorable moments involving Misha was during the closing ceremony of the games. As the anthem of the Soviet Union played, Misha shed a single tear, leaving a lasting impression on the audience. Misha's popularity extended beyond the 1980 Moscow Olympics. The mascot became a global icon and continued to be recognized long after the games had ended. Misha was regarded as one of the most successful and beloved Olympic mascots of all time. In conclusion, Misha, the mascot of the 1980 Moscow Olympics, was a beloved character that symbolized the spirit of the games. Its simple yet charming design and friendly demeanor captured the hearts of people around the world. To this day, Misha remains an iconic symbol of the Moscow Olympics and the Soviet Union..
Reviews for "The Impact of Misha: How the 1980 Moscow Olympics Mascot Inspired a Generation of Russian Athletes"
1. Bob - 1/5 - I was really disappointed with the mascot for the 1980 Moscow Olympics. It was a strange, bizarre creature that didn't make any sense to me. It resembled a blue and orange blob with no distinct features or representation of the Olympic spirit. It didn't capture the excitement and athleticism that the Olympics are known for. Overall, I found the mascot to be unaesthetic and a poor choice for such a prestigious event.
2. Sarah - 2/5 - The 1980 Moscow Olympics mascot was quite underwhelming. It seemed like a hasty design that lacked creativity. The colors were dull and unappealing, and the overall appearance was uninspiring. It failed to evoke any sense of excitement or celebration, which is what a mascot should do. The lack of attention to detail was evident, and it felt like a missed opportunity to create something memorable for the Olympics.
3. Mike - 1/5 - I found the mascot for the 1980 Moscow Olympics to be utterly confusing and unattractive. Its design was so abstract that it was difficult to even understand what it was supposed to be representing. The combination of colors was not visually pleasing, and the overall execution felt poorly thought out. It was a missed opportunity to create a mascot that could connect with people and leave a lasting impression. In my opinion, it was a forgettable and lackluster choice.
4. Emily - 3/5 - While the mascot for the 1980 Moscow Olympics wasn't my favorite, I will acknowledge that it had a unique and distinctive design. However, its abstract representation made it challenging to connect with. It lacked the charm and playfulness that you would expect from an Olympic mascot. I appreciate the effort to create something different, but ultimately, it didn't resonate with me or capture the essence of the Olympics.
5. David - 2/5 - The 1980 Moscow Olympics mascot was a disappointment for me. It looked like a misshapen blob with no clear identity or relevance to the Olympic Games. I was expecting a mascot that was vibrant, energetic, and represented the spirit of sportsmanship, but this one fell short. The color choice was unattractive, and the overall design felt uninspired. It lacked the appeal and charm that a mascot should have, leaving me unimpressed.