Posted on 07/24/2008 1:10:38 AM PDT by SolidWood
You're not the only one unhappy about the Olympic mascots, collectively known as the Fuwa.
If the Beijing Olympics' five cuddly mascots go down in history as a dud, their creator wants no part of the blame. After China's Olympics organizers gave him the assignment, folk artist Han Meilin initially sketched out five children representing the traditional Chinese elements of fire, wood, water, gold and earth. Then the bureaucrats got involved. "There had to be a panda, even though you'd think the public would have had enough of them," says the 72-year-old artist.
Alas, mankind will never get enough of the panda, but the problem with the Fuwa is much broader than anyone of them. Each of the five mascots is more annoying than the next. And why are there five of them anyway? Is this a statement about the diminutive role of individualism in the people's republic? As an official web site helpfully explains,
Each of [the] Fuwa has a rhyming two-syllable name -- a traditional way of expressing affection for children in China. Beibei is the Fish, Jingjing is the Panda, Huanhuan is the Olympic Flame, Yingying is the Tibetan Antelope and Nini is the Swallow. ... Like the Five Olympic Rings from which they draw their color and inspiration, Fuwa will serve as the Official Mascots of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, carrying a message of friendship and peace -- and good wishes from China -- to children all over the world.
Don't talk about peace and friendship with Joe Bryant, a blogger at Footballguys.com. He asks, "Why do the Olympic mascots have to look like some mutant Pokemon / Telletubbie thing? What's wrong with a bull dog or a cougar or a sweat shop worker for a mascot?" That's the spirit!
More proof that Communists are idiots.
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That's pretty bad, but this is even worse. |
 Izzy - Mascot of the 96 Olympics in Atlanta |
Good one.
You got that right. Izzy is the WORST Olympic mascot of all time, and the competition remains stiff.
Fortunately, we had the Paralympic Games shortly after the Olympics, and *they* had a great mascot, Blaze, the phoenix:
LMFAO
Hey I liked Izzy. Even have him as a stuffed animal.
Then again I was eight at the time soo...
I’ve got an Izzy T-Shirt that I wear when I go jogging at midnight. :)
I sort of like ‘em. They’re like Chinese Power Puff Girls. My wife got me a shirt with one of ‘em on it, can’t remember which one (which girl, not which wife).
You’re wearing a Power Puff Girl shirt? Okay. Maybe “Blossom”?
No, it was one of those Olympic mascots. But I might wear a Buttercup shirt. She’s mean.
LOL!
Something for the Tard ping? Those mascots ought to be ‘tarded enough.
Probably needs that and the Not-a-Ping List ping. Let's get 'em on the job. ;-)
OMG....that is hilarious! Sick, but hilarious. (I personally like sick humor.)
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