The Rio Olympic mascot, Vinicius, was unveiled in 2014 as a symbol of the Olympic and Paralympic Games held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2016. The concept behind the mascot was to represent the diverse animal life in Brazil and promote the country's vibrant culture. Vinicius, named after Vinicius de Moraes, a famous Brazilian musician and poet, is a yellow creature with a mixture of various Brazilian animals. He has the agility of a cat, the grace of a monkey, the charm of a bird, and the strength of a jaguar. This unique combination of characteristics made him an instantly recognizable and multifaceted mascot. The design of Vinicius was intended to appeal to people of all ages and backgrounds.

A Quick Word From: That Cat-Monkey Olympic Mascot Whose Name No One Knows

The design of Vinicius was intended to appeal to people of all ages and backgrounds. His cheerful and friendly appearance aimed to create a connection with spectators and athletes, instilling a sense of joy and unity throughout the Games. With his big smile and bright colors, Vinicius became an iconic symbol of the Rio Olympics.

My name is Vinicius. You probably didn't know that. I'm the official mascot of the 2016 Rio Olympics for God’s sakes.

You vaguely know me. I am a giant yellow cat monkey thing. I’m the official mascot of the 2016 Rio Olympics for God’s sakes. Guys, you know me. You know who I am. What’s my name, huh? Tell me what my name is.

My name is Vinicius. You probably didn’t know that. You know it now. Please don’t forget it. I demand to be remembered. I will not fade into obscurity, goddamn it. I was designed to be memorable, and I will do everything within my power to drill myself into your subconscious.

I understand there’s a new mascot every Olympics, and sometimes there are multiple mascots. Sochi had three. Normally they are very scary, but I’m a friendly cat monkey thing. I’m cute! I’m harmless! Please make me a thing. I want to be a thing, ok? Make me trend. #Vinicius.

Like all Olympics mascots, I have been specifically designed by an advertising agency to be excessively representative of the host country of the Olympics. This could have made me a freak like the Cyclopses from the London Olympics. Do you remember them? Look, here’s a picture of these monsters:

“Oh, yeah,” you think, “I do kind of remember those guys.” That will not be my fate. No, sir, you will learn my name. I will not be a trivia question in four years at a really hard pub crawl. I represent “a mixture of all Brazilian animals,” and my official backstory is that I was born from the joy of Brazilians. That’s goddamn beautiful. Internet, please make a big deal out of me. I’m trying to meme so hard.

Did you forget my name already? Don’t you dare scroll up. Think. Think. Remember me. I am an Olympic mascot. This is what I look like:

I’m named after Brazilian poet and composer Vinicius de Moraes. Do you still not know it? It’s Vinicius. Vinicius. Drill it into your stupid head. VINICIUS. I am on so much merchandise, and I am terrified I am not catching on.

When you watch the Olympics, you think, “Oh look, Ryan Seacrest for some reason.” You know his name. You know so many names. You can now distinguish between two completely different Simones, but you don’t know one single Vinicius?

Every four years you briefly learn the rules of handball. That’s ridiculous. Give me your brain space. Do it.

Leslie Jones doesn’t even know my name. We have probably taken so many photos together. It’s Vinicius. My name is Vinicius.

What do I have to do to get a listicle or whatever? Come on. “15 Times Vinicius Slayed the Olympics” or “8 Times Vinicius Was Us as Hell.” Even just an article or two about “What is that Cat Monkey Thing?” would be enough. I need this.

Why am I not catching on? Am I not doing enough cartwheels? Am I not comically walking around in the background as tired Olympians are interviewed? I tried to give Usain Bolt a stuffed version of myself, but he wouldn’t take it. What do you expect from me? I’ll run the steeplechase. I’ll do it. It’ll be so cute and funny. You have no idea. I’ll push people into the pool. I’ll get mean.

I will punch Bob Costas in the face if you think Twitter would like that.

Who am I kidding? I won’t do anything but wave and slightly dance. It’s so hard to be an Olympics mascot. You have no idea how much pressure is on me to become a part of pop culture. We never do though. I look at the forth place athletes, and I try to hug them. I try to let them know I get it. We will not be remembered, either of us, but maybe that’s ok if we have each other. But when I hug them, they normally push me away because they are sad and tired, and I am a giant furry cat monkey.

Vinicius. My name is Vinicius. You will forget this in an hour.

• SEE ALSO: Surprises and Snubs From This Year’s Golden Globe Nominations

Rio 2016; Meet the mascots!

Rio 2016 wants the public to help name the mascots. The poll is already open and you can vote for your choice from a shortlist of three pairs of names: one for the Olympic mascot, the other for the Paralympic mascot, respectively. The choices are Oba and Eba, Tiba Tuque and Esquindim, and Vinicius and Tom. You can find out more about these names, and vote for your choice, at www.rio2016.com/mascots or on the Rio 2016 Twitter feed. The winning names will be announced on 14 December.

The Olympic Games mascot is a mixture of different Brazilian animals, blessed with their many qualities: the agility of the cats, the sway of the monkeys, the grace of the birds. With his keen sense of smell, he can sniff out exciting adventures. His incredible hearing allows him to find the most enthusiastic fans. He can imitate the voice of any animal.

The Paralympic Games mascot is a fusion of Brazil’s incredibly diverse plant life. His hair is made of tropical foliage and he is transforming all the time – like plants that are always moving, growing towards the sun and overcoming obstacles.

Read more:

• Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic mascots delight children on first public appearance
• Born out of an explosion of Brazilian joy… the Rio 2016 mascots – magical creatures with super powers
• Meet the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games mascots and help choose their names
• A crying bear, a cubist mountain dog and a blue blob… welcome to the wonderful world of Olympic and Paralympic mascots
• Misha, Athena, Wenlock… mascots from previous Olympic and Paralympic Games arrive in Rio de Janeiro
• Rio2016 Mascots website

© Rio 2016 / Alex Ferro

The Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Check one off the bucket list – I’ve officially attended my first Olympic Games.

Since I am sure you were all inundated with exaggerated or blatantly false information regarding the games, I will attempt to provide you with in insider’s point of view from Rio 2016.

First, some context (aka my credentials):

• I was in Brazil for entirety of both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
• I speak Portuguese.
• I have friends who were working for the games.
• I know and I spoke with athletes competing in the games.
• I attended a total of ten events, the Olympic Closing Ceremony, the Paralympic Opening Ceremony, and the Paralympic Closing Ceremony.

Basically, you can believe everything I’m about to tell you. And here we go:

• You could buy 1/2 price student tickets online for any event and enter the stadium with them (nobody checked).
• Once inside a stadium, you could basically sit wherever you wanted (I don’t think I ever sat in my assigned seat).
• The public transportation (buses) got incredibly full at times and you would have to wait for six or seven buses to pass before there was space for anyone.
• The majority of the events took place quite far from Rio de Janeiro’s Zona Sul (where the majority of people stay when in Rio).
• The military presence on the streets of Rio was intense. Huge assault rifles everywhere.
• The Paralympics were awesome (and far less expensive than the Olympics). 10/10, would go again.
• It was incredibly hot some days and the Olympic Park (where many of the events were) had very few shaded areas (see below).
• The Olympic Village was apparently not up to snuff with those of previous countries.
• Times I heard the word “zika”? Zero.
• Ryan Lochte is a douche.

Meet the Rio 2016 mascots

The wait is over! The Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games mascots have been unveiled. Inspired by Brazil’s fauna and flora, the duo feature various pop culture influences, along with elements of animation and computer game characters.

“The Rio 2016 mascots represent the diversity of our culture, of our people,” said Beth Lula, the Rio 2016 Brand Director.

“They represent our joy, our way of being. Both of them are magical creatures with super powers and relate naturally with the young audience, who we want to engage with our event so much.”

The origin of the Rio 2016 mascots blends fiction and reality. According to the story, 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. Find out more about the mascots’ origins here.

The Olympic 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. 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.

Both mascots have their own Facebook and Twitter profiles and share a special website full of fun activities for kids.

Follow the Paralympic mascot on Facebook here and on Twitter here.

“The mascots are one of the most important symbols of the Games because they create an emotional link with the public, especially children, and are genuine ambassadors for the event,” added Lula.

“The mascots are one of the most representative symbols of the Games. Their purpose is to delight and engage the audience, particularly the children”, said Carlos Arthur Nuzman, President of the Rio 2016 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Paralympic mascot is a unique mixture of the Brazilian flora. He is able to constantly transform, with determination and joy – since plants are also in constant motion – growing and overcoming obstacles. In addition to practising Paralympic sports, he is constantly on the move. He believes there is no obstacle too hard to overcome. He can pull anything from his big head of leaves to solve even the hairiest of problems. As the ambassador of the Paralympic Games, he will teach others to bring out their best.

Help choose their names!

Rio 2016 wants the public to help name the mascots. The poll is already open and you can vote for your choice from a shortlist of three pairs of names: one for the Olympic mascot, the other for the Paralympic mascot, respectively. The choices are Oba and Eba, Tiba Tuque and Esquindim, and Vinicius and Tom. You can find out more about these names, and vote for your choice, at www.rio2016.com/mascots or on the Rio 2016 Twitter feed. The winning names will be announced on 14 December.

The mascots were created by Birdo Produções, a São Paulo-based design and animation company that has won numerous international awards. Led by founders Luciana Eguti and Paulo Muppet, Birdo is considered one of the most creative animation studios in the world.

Birdo were selected from a national tender process that involved advertising, design, illustration and animation companies. Rio 2016 invited directors from Anima Mundi – the leading animation festival in the Americas – to be consultants during the tender process.

The mascot's vibrant personality was further showcased through various forms of merchandise such as stuffed toys, figurines, and clothing. Vinicius became a popular collector's item for both children and adults worldwide, serving as a reminder of the unforgettable Rio Olympics. Throughout the Games, Vinicius played an active role in engaging with spectators and promoting sportsmanship. He made appearances at various events and venues, interacting with athletes and fans, and spreading the message of unity and friendship. Vinicius became an embodiment of the Olympic spirit, symbolizing the values of respect, excellence, and solidarity. The Rio Olympic mascot, Vinicius, left a lasting impact on the Games and the people who experienced them. His presence created an atmosphere of excitement, celebration, and inclusivity, making him an integral part of the Olympic legacy. Vinicius continues to be cherished as a beloved symbol of the Rio Olympics, reminding us of the power of sports to bring people together from all walks of life..

Reviews for "From Cobi to Vinicius: A Look at the Evolution of Olympic Mascots"

1. Andy - 2/5 - I must admit, I was quite disappointed with the Rio Olympic mascot. The design felt uninspired and lacking in creativity. The combination of a yellow cat with blue feet and a green head just seemed odd and disjointed. Compared to the mascots of previous Olympics, which were often vibrant and memorable, this one fell flat. It lacked the charm and appeal that a mascot should have, and overall, I found it underwhelming.

2. Lisa - 1/5 - I can't believe the Rio Olympic mascot was approved. It was a complete eyesore! The strange combination of colors and bizarre features made the mascot look more like a mutated creature than a symbol of the games. It was hard to connect with and didn't evoke any sense of excitement or enthusiasm. The design team could have done much better, and I expected more from an event as significant as the Olympics. This mascot was a major disappointment.

3. Richard - 2/5 - The Rio Olympic mascot was just plain weird. I couldn't understand the concept behind it, and the design was unappealing. The colors didn't work well together, and the overall look was confusing. It didn't feel representative of the spirit and energy of the Olympic Games. I must say, I was glad when the games were over, simply because I wouldn't have to see that strange mascot anymore. It definitely missed the mark in terms of visually capturing the excitement of the Olympics.

4. Michelle - 3/5 - While I didn't hate the Rio Olympic mascot, I wasn't exactly impressed either. It appeared quite generic and lacked the personality that has made previous Olympic mascots so iconic. It didn't stand out from the crowd and felt forgettable. I think the designers missed an opportunity to create a more memorable and lovable character that could have resonated with people of all ages. Overall, it was a mediocre effort with room for improvement.

5. David - 2/5 - The Rio Olympic mascot was a bit of a letdown. It didn't have the same level of charm and charisma that I have come to expect from Olympic mascots. The design seemed rushed and lacked attention to detail. Additionally, the choice of colors was not very appealing and didn't feel harmonious. It's a shame because a well-designed mascot can really add to the excitement and spirit of the games. Unfortunately, this one fell short.

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