THE MASCOTS OF THE 2014 OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES IN SOCHI MOSHKINA IRINA IVANOVNA, TEACHER OF ENGLISH, GYMNASIUM 1, POLYARNIE ZORI

THE HISTORY OF MASCOTS Originally, the only symbols of the Olympic Games were the emblem (five interlocking rings) and the Olympic flame. The idea of an Olympic mascot was officially approved by the International Olympic Committee in Munich, Germany in summer 1972.

MASCOTS OF DIFFERENT OLYMPIC GAMES Stylised skier, Schuss – the 1968 Olympic Winter Games in Grenoble (France) The polar bears Hidy and Howdy - the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary (Canada) an Olympic snowman - the1976 Olympic Winter Games in Innsbruck (Austria) Håkon and Kristin, brother and sister from Norwegian folklore - the 1994 Olympic Winter Games in Lillehammer (Norway) Roni the Racoon – the 1980 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid (USA) The mascots were a hare, a coyote and a bear - the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City (USA) Vučko the Little Wolf - the 1984 Olympic Winter Games in Sarajevo (Yugoslavia) The snowball Neve and ice cube Gliz -the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Turin (Italy)

WHAT IS THE OLYMPIC GAMES MASCOT INTENDED TO DO? to promote the principles of Olympism, to popularize the particular Games

WHAT CAN BE THE MASCOT OF THE OLYMPICS? a person an animal a fictitious being

WHAT SHOULD THE MASCOTS DO? reflect the cultural characteristics of the host country symbolize the values of the modern Olympic Movement

WHO CHOSE THE MASCOTS FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN SOCHI ? The Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee opened the Russian national competition to design a Mascot for the Sochi Games in Over 24,000 sketches were sent to the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee. The Hare, Polar Bear and Leopard were chosen as the official Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games Mascots. There was a public vote during the live television show "Talismaniya Sochi The Final” on 26 February 2011 in Moscow.

THE WHITE LEOPARD The Leopard is a rescuer and mountain-climber. He lives on the highest peak of the snowy mountains in the Caucasus. He helps those in need, and rescues nearby villages from avalanches. The Leopard is an experienced snowboarder. He teachers all his friends and neighbors to snowboard. He is a cheerful character He loves dancing.

THE POLAR BEAR He lives Beyond the Arctic Circle. In his home, everything is made of ice and snow: his shower, his bed, his computer and even his weight - lifting equipment. Arctic explorers taught him to ski, speed-skate and go curling. The polar bear enjoys riding sports sleigh. He is a real bobsleigh pro. He is strong but very kind and caring.

ZAIKA THE HARE The Hare is the busiest creature in the winter forest. The little hare studies at the Forest Academy and gets excellent grades. She helps her Mum in the family restaurant, “The Forest Dam”. She takes part in all sporting events. The little hare trusts her friends so much that she doesn’t have any secrets. She simply loves sport with all her heart. She also loves singing and dancing.

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