The question of the mascot for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
has been the subject of discussions since the city won its bid to
host the event.
In the two years since then, a host of Chinese symbols have been
considered.
The cuddly-looking giant panda; the endangered golden monkey and
red-crowned crane; and the traditional cartoon figure the Monkey
King all have their advocates.
The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX
Olympiad (BOCOG)
has announced that the selection process for the mascot design
officially started Thursday, and the final mascot will be unveiled
on June 1 next year.
Professional design organizations and individuals from all over
the world will have the chance to propose their designs. Children's
opinions will be considered an important part of the selection
process.
Vice Director of BOCOG Cultural Activity Department Zhang Ming
says that BOCOG will send hundreds of solicitations for designs of
the mascots for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Those who are
interested in participating can also download the invitation from
BOCOG's official website.
Zhang said that as well as symbolizing the spirit of the Games,
the Beijing mascot should be characteristic of Chinese culture,
endearing to children and of universal appeal to adults.
In addition to a selection panel of experts, an appraisal
committee comprising representatives from different fields will
review the submissions. However, citizens will not be permitted to
vote for the mascot.
"There won't be a public vote for the mascot as there was in the
selection of the design schemes for the National Stadium," said
BOCOG Vice President Jiang Xiaoyu. "We will seek legal protection
before we publish the final decision."
Zhang said all the design submissions should include individuals
or groups of main cartoon figures and five extended figures,
involving equestrian, swimming, running, cycling and gymnastics
events.
"The mascot should also have a marketing value that can be
easily attached to different Olympic licensed products, such as
T-shirts, bags, cups, pens, and so on, and look good on TV, the
Internet, mobile phones and anything to do with the Olympics,"
Zhang added. "The income from the mascot of next month's Athens
Olympic Games is expected to reach 720 million Euros, with 10
percent of it going to the organizing committee."
The designs must be submitted by 5:30 PM on December 1. The
entire process of judging, revising, reporting and legal
registering will be completed before May.
(China Daily August 6, 2004)