It was the Germans who first decided that the Olympic games needed an injection of cuteness. There is nothing inherently cute about the games. Indeed, they might be thought to be the antithesis of cuteness. Managed by a committee of self-important, self-serving bureaucrats claiming to foster a spirit of international friendship and fair play, they actually foster intense rivalry between the participating nations and often a determination to win at almost any cost.
It may have been to exorcise memories of the 1936 Berlin Olympics, which had been ruthlessly exploited by Adolf Hitler for his own glorification, that in 1972 the organisers of the Munich Olympics decided to sponsor an official mascot in the form of an adorable little model dachshund. It was called Waldi and was said by its designer, Otto Aicher, to represent the "gaiety" and "spirit" of the games. Waldi turned out to be very popular, especially with children, and since then there have been no Olympic games without their own lovable little mascots. These have included a Russian bear called Misha, a Disney-designed American eagle called Sam, and other animals with endearing anthropomorphic characteristics.
what the hell are they? I mean besides some brainchild of a crackpot.
Do not be quick to reveal judgment. Hidden judgment is often more potent. It can guide reaction whose effects are felt only when too late to divert them. - Bene Gesserit Advice to Postulants
Do not be quick to reveal judgment. Hidden judgment is often more potent. It can guide reaction whose effects are felt only when too late to divert them. - Bene Gesserit Advice to Postulants
Okay, who let Boris Johnson pick the Olympic mascots?
HBJ
"The sky calls to us. If we do not destroy ourselves, we will one day venture to the stars."
- Carl Sagan
I'm still very proud of The Quarry but … let's face it; in the end the real best way to sign off would have been with a great big rollicking Culture novel.
- Iain Banks