Tokyo 2020 unveils mascot contenders for Olympic Games

World
Europe

The mascots for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics have been revealed. For the games, three designs have been short-listed from more than 2,000 entries, with the winner set to be announced on February 28 following a vote by the nation's school children.

Voting is due to begin on December 11 and conclude on January 19.

Tokyo 2020 has pledged to publish the results from each of the participating elementary schools across Japan. The decision lies in the hands of 6.5 million children, including ones from overseas. The designs aim to have a friendly approach and represent many of the themes from Japan's famous manga style.

Tokyo 2020 said the Olympic mascot for the "A" candidates embodies both old tradition and new innovation, with the character having an "old fashioned charm and a high-tech vibe".

It is said to have a strong sense of justice and be very athletic, while boasting a special power that enables it to move instantaneously.

6.5 million Schoolchildren at every elementary school across Japan will with their classes casting a single vote in favour of one of the sets. /insidethegames photo

The Paralympic mascot is claimed to have the opposite personality, although both have a "great spirit of hospitality and respect each other".

Candidate B's Olympic mascot is modelled on a lucky cat and an inari fox, which are viewed as symbols of luck in Japan.

The character is said to have been born from the fire that warms Japan and has the "ability to run so fast that it can create valleys and rivers, although it takes naps under the sunlight".

Candidate C's Olympic mascot is a fox, which originates from Japanese fairy tales and is decorated with ancient Magatama patterns.

A mascot review panel chose the three designs in October having already shortlisted the number of entries to 16.