Day -13: Mascot Mishegoss (2020-2026)

🎵 Is somebody gonna match my Phryge? 🎵

We have reached the closing ceremony of Mascot Week! Thank you for coming! Remember to tip your mascots!

Tokyo, Summer 2020: Miraitowa and Someity

Japan is an extremely mascot-oriented nation, so all eyes were on Tokyo 2020’s mascot choices—but Miraitowa and Someity, though cute, felt like a bit of a let-down. They were chosen by Japanese school children over two other sets of mascot finalists: a Lucky Cat and lion-dog as well as a folklore-inflected fox and raccoon duo. Perhaps I just have on rose-colored glasses, but I can’t help but think the also-rans’ mix of natural elements with more fantastical qualities make them a bit easier to love than the sci-fi-ish winners. Chris Carlier, who runs the popular Japan-focused Twitter account Mondo Mascots, pointed out that classic Japanese mascots are much more bulky and lumbering than the slim, sporty M&S.

But here we are! Miraitowa, the Olympic mascot, rocks a checkerboard aesthetic inspired by Tokyo 2020’s official logo as well as a pattern popular in Japan’s Edo period. They are apparently passionate about justice, and their name comes from words for “future” and “eternity.” Someity, the Paralympic mascot, is cherry blossom-themed and has the gift of telepathy.

Beijing, Winter 2022: Bing Dwen Dwen and Shuey Rhon Rhon

Bing Dwen Dwen (whose name apparently roughly translates to “ice chubster” or “healthily plump Ice Child”) is a cute panda made out of ice; the ring around their face is inspired by the architecture of Beijing’s speed skating venue, and a heart on their left palm symbolizes hospitality. They first debuted to great ridicule in 2019—comparisons included “a flash frozen panda” or a “sesame ball with its filling leaking out”—but then skyrocketed to popularity by the time the Games actually started in 2022.

Throughout the Olympics, people waited hours in line in below-freezing temps to try in vain to purchase BDD merch, with $30 plushies being resold for hundreds of dollars online. Rumors circulated, though, that Bing Dwen Dwen-mania was astroturfed: Australian journalists and researchers accused the Chinese government of creating fake BDD-loving social media accounts to manufacture hype. Either way, the ice chubster remains a hot commodity to this day. Earlier in 2024, a special edition Bing Dwen Dwen toy wearing a Year of the Dragon get-up brought in big money from still-loyal fans.

Bing Dwen Dwen’s darkest moment came partway through the games, when BDD appeared on a livestream and was briefly heard speaking. Viewers heard not a cuddly cute panda voice but instead what Wall Street Journal described as “the voice of a middle-aged man, sounding a lot like an earnest uncle, with the distinct inflection of natives of northeastern China, the country’s barren rust belt region bordering the Russian Far East.” Fans were aghast: “It’s like watching your idol’s reputation collapse,” one commenter wrote. The Powers That Be instantly went into damage control mode, censoring a Weibo hashtag that translated to “Bing Dwen Dwen has spoken” and throwing the guy in the mascot suit under the bus. Allegedly, he was not the real Bing Dwen Dwen but just an imposter—which you can tell because ice chubsters can only make “babbling noises.”

In comparison, Paralympic mascot Shuey Rhon Rhon had a much lower profile. It sounds like people who lined up to buy Bing Dwen Dwen merch and were left only with Shuey Rhon Rhon toys available were not psyched about it, which I think is a shame because SRR’s anthropomorphic Chinese lantern design is incredibly endearing. Their name comes from Chinese words for “snow,” “to include/tolerate,” “to fuse/melt,” "and “warm.”

Paris, Summer 2024: The Phryges

OK—so—they’re hats. Specifically, they are Phrygian caps, which originated in ancient Anatolia but became a whole other thing during the French Revolution. Phrygian caps were a symbol of the French Republic and more generally the idea of freedom; Marianne, the national personification of France, is often depicted wearing one, including in Delacroix’s famous painting Liberty Leading the People. So, that’s the mascot!

They gave them legs—one prosthetic and one biological for the Paralympic Phryge, and two biological for the Olympic Phryge, whatever it means to be a biological leg for an ancient hat. The Paralympic Phryge, who is apparently the first Paralympic mascot to have a visible disability since monoskiing troll Sondre, is apparently spontaneous and fun-loving, whereas her Olympic counterpart is known for her “methodical mind and alluring charm.” My household has a plush Olympic Phryge living in our dining room who stares at us with unblinking eyes day in and day out, constantly imploring us to lead a revolution in sport. Enchanté!

Milan–Cortina d'Ampezzo, Winter 2026: Milo and Tina

Milo and Tina are stoat siblings serving as mascots for the Paralympics and Olympics respectively. They made their debut earlier this at the Sanremo Music Festival, a big-deal song contest that selects Italy’s performer for Eurovision every year.

Tina and Milo apparently have an entourage of “adventure companions” called “The Flo,” consisting of six small snowdrops who have diverse skill sets and personalities. For example, some of them “are good at talking” and others are “more judicious.” I can’t say I understand what their actual purpose is but I look forward to finding out!