ASIA NEWS

BREAKING NEWS!

Yes! They're finally here. The official mascots for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. One's a fish, one's a panda, one's a Tibeten antelope (controversial?), one's a swallow, and one's an Olympic flame. God I love the Chinese.

"The five friendlies are an incredible little family carefully chosen by Beijing 2008 to represent all of China to carry a message of friendship to the children of the world," International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge said in a statement that was read at the ceremony.

"China is so lucky to have so many beautiful animals to represent the Olympic spirit," Rogge said, heroically keeping a straight face.

A plethora of real and mythic creatures were among the candidates considered by Chinese leaders, Olympic officials and design specialists over the past year. Among those that didn't make the cut were the dragon and a mischievous magical monkey out of Chinese folklore.

Best. Olympics. Ever.

source: AP

UPDATE!



As promised here are the 2002 World Cup mascots, Ato, Nik and Kaz, who come from Atmozone in space where they play a version of football. One of them is supposed to be a manager, the tall one presumably.

"Avid football fans, the three set out to help create a special atmosphere at the FIFA World Cup finals. The two youngest mascots have many adventure and cause much chaos on their way to the matches in Korea and Japan. In the end, they help make the 2002 FIFA World Cup the greatest tournament ever by creating an exciting atmosphere among the players and spectators and in the process convey the lesson that harmony is the key to every success."