The mascot representing the Rio Olympics was named Vinicius, after the famous Brazilian composer Vinicius de Moraes. Vinicius was a mixture of various Brazilian animals and aimed to represent the diversity and energy of the host country. He had a yellow body, representing the gold medals of the Olympics, and wore a green hat, symbolizing the lush forests of Brazil. Vinicius had a friendly and welcoming appearance, with a big smile and expressive eyes. His design was meant to appeal to both children and adults, and also reflected the vibrancy and joy of Brazilian culture. The idea behind Vinicius was to create a mascot that would be memorable, relatable, and reflective of the spirit of the Rio Olympics.
The origin of the Rio 2016 mascots blends fiction and reality. According to the “legend”, on 2 October 2009, when Rio de Janeiro was elected to host the Games, the great explosion of joy amongst Brazilians was felt by nature and from this energy the mascots were born.
But there s another way to interpret the mascots symbolism Since Rio de Janeiro was selected to host the 2016 Games, Brazil s government has bulldozed nature preserves, pursued hydroelectric dam building in the Amazon, and even slaughtered a beloved jaguar. Through name and design, Vinicius reflects the mark that the Brazilian culture and environment have left on the world an important reminder ahead of the long-awaited Rio Olympics.
The idea behind Vinicius was to create a mascot that would be memorable, relatable, and reflective of the spirit of the Rio Olympics. He became an iconic symbol of the games and was a popular figure among spectators and athletes alike. Vinicius's design and concept received praise for capturing the essence of Brazil and adding a unique touch to the Olympic experience.
Vinicius and Tom are the names chosen for Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic mascots
The Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games mascots have been named. The Olympic mascot will be called Vinicius and the Paralympic mascot will be called Tom. The names were chosen by a public vote with 323, 327 votes cast.
The names, which received 44 per cent of valid votes, pay tribute to the great Brazilian musicians and composers Vinicius de Moraes and Tom Jobim. The duo were a key part of the group that created Bossa Nova. Together, Vinicius and Tom wrote The Girl from Ipanema, one of the most-played songs of all time, and many other bossa nova classics..
Vinicius and Tom were chosen ahead of the other two shortlisted pairs of names: Oba and Eba, and Tiba Tuque and Esquindim.
Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman said the public had chosen names that reflect the character of the Rio 2016 Games. “The names of Vinicius and Tom are recognised worldwide as a synonym for excellence, which is in line with what we want to achieve with the Rio 2016 Games,” he said. “In addition to representing the Brazilian fauna and flora, our mascots also connect to the best of our music. We are certain that they will be an inspiration to the youth.”
The origin of the Rio 2016 mascots blends fiction and reality. According to the “legend”, on 2 October 2009, when Rio de Janeiro was elected to host the Games, the great explosion of joy amongst Brazilians was felt by nature and from this energy the mascots were born.
Vinicius, the Rio 2016 Olympic Games mascot, represents all of the different animals in Brazil. He combines the agility of cats, the sway of monkeys and the grace of birds. He can stretch his arms and legs as much as he wants and has a very acute sense of smell and amazing powers of hearing.
Tom, the Paralympic mascot, is a fusion of plants found in Brazilian forests. He is energised by photosynthesis and can pull any object from his head of leaves. He is always growing and overcoming obstacles, and believes there is no challenge that cannot be solved.
By signing up, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy & to receive electronic communications from Vice Media Group, which may include marketing promotions, advertisements and sponsored content.
Overall, Vinicius was a successful mascot that represented the lively and diverse nature of the Rio Olympics..
Reviews for "The Significance of Mascots in Olympic History: Rio's Vinicius as a Milestone"
1. Tom - 1/5 stars
I found the mascot representing the Rio Olympics to be highly disappointing. The design was lackluster and unoriginal, resembling a generic cartoon character rather than embodying the spirit of the games. Additionally, the choice of a yellow, one-eyed creature with green hair seemed odd and unappealing. Overall, I believe the mascot failed to leave a lasting impression and missed an opportunity to capture the enthusiasm and excitement surrounding the Olympics.
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars
As a fan of the Olympics, I was truly disappointed with the mascot chosen for the Rio Olympics. The design lacked creativity and failed to evoke any sense of Brazilian culture or identity. The mascot seemed more suited for a children's cartoon show rather than representing a global sporting event. I believe the Rio Olympics missed an opportunity to showcase the vibrancy and diversity of the host country through its mascot, and instead settled for a forgettable and uninspired character.