The English name of the Beijing Olympic mascots has been changed
to Fuwa as it is literally pronounced in Chinese and thus true to
its Chineseness.
The Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee (BOCOG) confirmed this
week that they have decided to adopt the name "Fuwa", which is a
literal, pinyin translation of its Chinese name and is more
frequently used in China. All Olympic souvenirs and Olympic posters
with the original mascot name "The Friendlies" will be
replaced.
An official in charge of media and communications from BOCOG
said the reason to change the English name to the pinyin form is
that "Fuwa" is more accessible and easy to remember, so it will be
a better name to promote the five mascots.
The mascots of the Beijing Olympic Games consist of five cartoon
figures - a fish, a panda, a Tibetan antelope, a swallow and the
Olympic flame - encompassing five features of nature - the sea,
forest, fire, earth and sky. Each has a two-syllable name in
English, and a combination of the first syllable from each name
reads "Beijing Huan Ying Ni" in Chinese, which means "Beijing
welcomes you."
Announced by BOCOG last November, the English name "Friendlies"
has aroused debates on the Internet. Some people say the English
name may be misleading as "Friendly" has two meanings in English, a
friendly person or a game played for pleasure or practice. The fact
that "Friendlies" sounds like "friendless" is another flaw, said
some netizens.
It's believed that the name change will help with the promotion
of the Beijing Olympic mascots across the world.
According to the BOCOG plan, it will start the international
programme for the sale of the licensed products late this year.
A global tour of the mascots was kicked off in August and was
planned to reach all the continents in the next two years.
The mascots made their first stop in the United States last
month, debuting in a show accompanied by Chinese folk dances at a
National Football League (NFL) game between the Patriots and Denver
Broncos at Gillette Stadium, Boston at 9:45 pm local time on
September 24.
It was the first time that the mascots of another sport event
appeared on an NFL playfield.
"The appearance of Fuwa in front of over 60,000 American
football spectators was an influential and effective activity,"
said Shao Shiwei, vice director of BOCOG Media and Communications
Department.
"The Olympic Games does not belong to China alone, but rather to
the whole world. People in the world are showing interest in
Beijing's Olympic preparations. As the host, we are doing our best
to bring to them the main concepts and elements of the Games."
The referee of the match also used a Beijing Olympic
commemorative coin to start the NFL game and NBC, which televised
live the Fuwa NFL act, devoted a total of 90 seconds to the
performance instead of using the time for advertisement.
"The best part of the Olympics is that it is inclusive. It's
totally inviting. I think these five mascots' message is the same -
to come to Beijing and participate with us. So, I think they're
great and I like them very much," said Chad Lewis, an NFL player in
the US and also one of the promoters of the mascots. "I think it's
a perfect relationship when China and the most popular sport in
America work together.
During its four-day stay in the US, the Fuwa team also took time
to perform at the Children's Hospital in Boston, illustrating the
concept of a "People's Olympics." They are getting known by the US
people.
"I am excited for the Fuwa to make their way around the United
States on their publicity tour. I think they are a great way to get
people, especially kids, interested and excited for the games to be
held in Beijing," Lewis told China Daily.
"People are already talking about the Beijing Olympics and I
know that many are excited for the chance to visit China. Most
people hear so much about China, but it is still not a big tourist
destination. I think the Olympics will change that.
"I think that as we get closer to the Beijing games, the Fuwa
will become more and more popular here in America and around the
world. I am already so excited to be a part of the Olympics in
Beijing."
(Xinhua News Agency October 20, 2006)
