The Moscow Olympics mascot was a bear named Misha. Misha was chosen as the mascot because bears are native to Russia and they are seen as strong and friendly animals. Misha was depicted as a small, smiling bear wearing a blue and white striped hat, which was the official colors of the Moscow Olympics. He also wore a belt with the Olympic rings on it. Misha became very popular during the Olympics and was seen as a symbol of the games. He appeared on merchandise such as t-shirts, pins, and stuffed animals.
It is said that Misha the Bear’s farewell during the Closing Ceremonies was one of the most memorable moments of the 1980 Moscow Games.
What s fascinating about Misha the Bear is that ironically, this lasting symbol of the Soviet Union is one of the best known of all Olympic mascots in the world, its image gracing t-shirts, coffee mugs, pins, posters, and toys. But when the United States government announced that America would boycott the Moscow Olympics in protest of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and forbade American companies to do business in relation to the Olympics, orders were cancelled, and Misha was suddenly a victim of a bear market.
He appeared on merchandise such as t-shirts, pins, and stuffed animals. Misha was also featured in cartoons and advertisements promoting the Olympics. The Moscow Olympics took place in 1980 and were boycotted by a number of countries, including the United States, in protest of the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan.
The Moscow Olympics Mascot Misha the Bear Part 1: Communism’s Capitalist Success Story
The headlines in the United States in the late 1970s and early 1980s was of economic malaise, Three Mile Island, the Iran hostage crisis, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the presidential campaign pitting incumbent Jimmy Carter against Ronald Reagan.
It was the Cold War, and the temperature was below zero. And yet, then president of stuff toy manufacturer and importer, Dakin & Co., Harold A. Nizamian, thought the planned mascot for the 1980 Moscow Olympics was charming. So he bought the license to create a stuffed bear and began producing and selling “Misha the Bear“.
Dakin began producing 240,000 Misha the Bear toys a month in early 1979, and the bear was selling. According to this Inc. article, Nizamian implies that he had global licensing rights as he claims the “the Russians were delighted and tried to buy it from us”.
But when the United States government announced that America would boycott the Moscow Olympics in protest of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and forbade American companies to do business in relation to the Olympics, orders were cancelled, and Misha was suddenly a victim of a bear market.
I actually had one of those bears. I remember getting a whole bunch of Moscow Olympic swag because NBC had the US broadcast rights for those Games, and my father was working for NBC at the time.
What’s fascinating about Misha the Bear is that ironically, this lasting symbol of the Soviet Union is one of the best known of all Olympic mascots in the world, its image gracing t-shirts, coffee mugs, pins, posters, and toys. In other words, the Soviet Union created the first commercially viable and globally popular Olympic mascot.
According to the Huffington Post , “n o other mascot has done more for its country than Misha from Moscow. As the smiling tiny bear touted as Russia’s cuddly ambassador to the world, Misha served as a warm child-friendly sight as the peak of the Cold War. His image, starkly different from the traditionally gruff bear common in Russian lore, propelling Olympic merchandise sales forward while 55 nations boycotted the games. “
It is said that Misha the Bear’s farewell during the Closing Ceremonies was one of the most memorable moments of the 1980 Moscow Games.
As for Dakin, Nizamian had $1 million dollar’s worth of Misha the Bear sitting in his warehouse. So what did he do?
Nizamian decided to give the bear a new nationality and a new lease on life. He removed the belt and reintroduced Misha in an assortment of T-shirts. “I Am Just A Bear,” one read; another proclaimed “U.S.A. Olympic Hockey Bear,” trading on the stunning victory by the United States at the winter Olympics. “It moved fairly well,” he explains. “We were able to dispose of about half of our stock by using that vehicle.” Dakin donated another 100,000 bears to the Special Olympics, a competition for handicapped children, and sold the final 100,000 to liquidators.
Despite the controversy surrounding the games, Misha remained a beloved figure among both the athletes and spectators. After the Olympics, Misha continued to be a popular character in Russian culture. He appeared in numerous children's books and television shows. In 2008, Misha was voted the best mascot in the history of the Olympics in a poll conducted by the Olympic Channel. Overall, Misha the bear will forever be associated with the Moscow Olympics. His friendly and playful image captured the spirit of the games and continues to be a beloved symbol of Russian sports..
Reviews for "Misha and Sochi: Comparing the Mascots of the Moscow and Winter Olympics"
1. John - 1 star:
I found the Moscow Olympics mascptv to be extremely underwhelming. The mascot costumes lacked creativity and looked cheaply made. The performances were dull and lacked excitement. Overall, I was expecting much more from this event, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations.
2. Sarah - 2 stars:
I must say I was quite disappointed with the Moscow Olympics mascptv. The mascots themselves seemed uninteresting and did not capture the spirit of the Olympics. The choreography was lackluster, and the whole event felt like a missed opportunity for showcasing the vibrant culture of Russia. I was left feeling unimpressed and wished I had spent my time and money on something else.
3. Mike - 2 stars:
The Moscow Olympics mascptv was a letdown for me. The mascots were unimaginative and did not resonate with the audience. The overall production felt lackluster, and the performances lacked energy. I was hoping for a memorable experience, but this event failed to deliver.
4. Emily - 1 star:
I have to say, the Moscow Olympics mascptv was a complete disappointment. The costumes looked amateurish, and the performances were uninspiring. It was evident that not much thought or effort went into creating a memorable event. I expected a grand spectacle, but instead, I was left feeling unimpressed and wishing I had spent my time elsewhere. Overall, this was a forgettable experience.