Tokyo 2020 unveil bug-eyed Olympic mascot hopefuls

TokyoOlympic organisers unveiled a shortlist of three official 2020 Gamesmascots yesterday — from bug-eyed cartoon heroes to cuddly raccoons. TheOlympic and Paralympic designs, which celebrate the themes of harmony,diversity and resilience, were unveiled by pupils at a Tokyo elementaryschool.After a bungled rollout of the official Olympic logo that ledto it being scrapped following accusations of plagiarism, localorganisers have left the selection of the Tokyo 2020 mascots in thehands of schoolchildren.From December 11 to February 22, pupils atevery elementary school across Japan — and Japanese schools overseas —will choose their favourite design, with each class casting a singlevote. The winner will be announced on February 28. The competing mascotsare instantly recognisable as “Made in Japan”, ranging in appearancefrom sci-fi cool to a glum-looking fox closer in spirit to the country’sbeloved “yuru-kyara” (soft characters). Design A’s futuristicblue-checked design with pointy ears and oversized eyes evokes Japanesemanga, while Olympic organisers revealed it has a “strong sense ofjustice” and can apparently move faster than light.Its Paralympiccousin, meanwhile, sports red checks derived from cherry blossoms andpossesses the ability, helpfully, to “talk with stones and the wind.”Design B pairs a cartoon hybrid of a “lucky” cat and a fox draped in ared flame-like cloak with a blue lion-dog of the type seen guardingJapanese shrines — the common thread between them big round eyesresembling disco lights.Olympic Mascot B also “loves to take napsunderneath the sunlight,” said Japanese organisers, adding that it“gives happy energy to people by touching them with its tail.” Thesofter appeal of Option C, meanwhile, brings together a fox looking lessthan overjoyed at being decorated in prehistoric “magatama” beads and ared raccoon looking a little bemused by all of the commotion.Tokyoorganisers will hope to make smooth progress on the mascots to build onrecent momentum following a series of public relations disasters. Lastmonth, Tokyo opened its first new permanent venue for the 2020 Olympics —a welcome boost after plans for the main stadium were torn up by PrimeMinister Shinzo Abe two years ago over its $2bn price tag. Designs forthe official Games emblem were then scrapped amid a plagiarism row.There was more bad news in October when Olympic organisers admitted thatprolonged summer rain had brought high levels of bacteria to a venueearmarked for triathlon and open water swimming.While Tokyo hastaken successful measures to reduce costs, the International OlympicCommittee has urged local organisers to try to further cut its current$12bn Games budget.