| Since the inception of the Olympic mascot over 36 | | | | When it comes to China, however, some might argue |
| years ago with Waldi at the Munich Olympics, the | | | | that although the Fuwa are cute and friendly, having |
| mascot has been given the honorable role of | | | | five icons as one mascot might confuse other |
| representing the culture and history of the host city. | | | | cultures. The message, "Welcome to Bejing," does |
| This summer the mascots, also known as the five | | | | not apply to those who don't read Chinese, nor does |
| "Fuwa", have been designed to express the playful, | | | | the history behind the animals. |
| child-like qualities of five little friends, each with their | | | | Others might also dispute that the greater the |
| own names and representation of China's most | | | | number of icons per mascot, the more they take |
| popular animals, Beibei is the Fish; Jingjing, the Panda; | | | | away from the Games itself. Every nation likes to |
| Huanhuan, the Olympic flame; Yingying, the Tibetan | | | | exert its national pride, but since the 1990's the |
| Antelope and Nini, the Swallow. Then when you see | | | | number of icons per mascot per Olympic Games has |
| the names together: Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni, you read: | | | | been growing steadily almost every year. In 1996, |
| "Welcome to Beijing." | | | | there was Izzy from the Atlanta Olympic Summer |
| As with most recent Olympic Games, our furry little | | | | Games, but in 1998 the number jumped to the four |
| friends are being included in the marketing and | | | | Snowlets of Nagano, followed by the Olly, Syd and |
| communication materials for this summer's event. The | | | | Millie of Sydney in 2002. Now in 2008, we have the |
| five Fuwa or "good luck dolls" were presented as the | | | | five Fuwa and by 2020 there could be eight to ten |
| mascots of the 2008 Olympic Games by the National | | | | different icons—which is almost an Olympic team |
| Society of Chinese Literature Studies over two years | | | | by itself! |
| ago, at an event marking the 1000 day countdown | | | | In effect, countries today are not only competing for |
| to the games. | | | | gold medals, but also for bigger and better |
| The Olympic mascots are historically very popular | | | | merchandising and licensing options. The Fuwa will |
| with children, offering a friendly recognizable face for | | | | surely help generate revenue for China, as host cities |
| the games. This year, each Fuwa represents a | | | | get to keep between 10 – 15% of the royalties, |
| primary color from the Olympic rings, and carries a | | | | helping to offset the cost of hosting the games, |
| message of friendship and peace to children all over | | | | which is thought to have cost China an estimated |
| the world through the Olympic spirit. | | | | $38 billion. |
| With the mascots being licensed to a variety of | | | | All revenue and royalties aside, China has opened its |
| Olympic merchandise from keychains to plates (300 | | | | gates to the future through the 2008 Beijing |
| items in total) there will be something for everyone | | | | Olympics. By launching the new Olympic logo and their |
| to buy this summer, and with a captive audience of | | | | friendly mascots, the city is reaching out, inviting |
| over a million tourists expected in Beijing for the | | | | people around the world to join in with their dance, |
| event, sales are expected to be good! In fact you | | | | experience their culture, and share in their joy at |
| can even get ahead of the pack and buy | | | | hosting the games, which will commence in August. |
| merchandise for the 2010 Vancouver Games! | | | | |