2018 Winter Olympics: Who are the mascots in Pyeongchang and what do their names mean?
As the Games get underway in PyeongcChang, meet the mascot stars of this year's competition
THE WINTER OLYMPICS are finally here – and it just wouldn’t be the same without the mascots.
Who could forget Wenlock from London 2012 or the bizarre and frankly terrifying Phevos and Athena from Athens 2004?
With things starting to heat up in Pyeonchang ahead of the action, we take a look at this year’s offering.
Who are the mascots?
UNLIKE Sochi 2014, in South Korea there are two mascots rather than three.
The Hare, the Polar Bear and the Leopard from the Russia games are gone in place of Soohorang, a sort of cuddly white tiger, and Bandabi, an asiatic black bear.
Long considered to be the guardian animal of South Korean’s, the white tiger is well loved by the public and has already been well received in Pyeonchang.
The organisers say: “Soohorang is a trustworthy friend who protects the athletes, spectators and all the participants of the Olympic Games.”
Bandabi, said to be symbolic of courage and strength, is decked out in a woolly hat and was approved along with Soohorang back in 2016 following a two year consulation.
Both are available as animated emoticons on KakaoTalk, a popular messaging application in South Korea.
What do their names mean?
THE MASCOTS have been chosen for their symbolism and relevance to local culture – but also to convey a message to the wider world through their names.
‘Sooho’, which means protection in Korean, symbolises the protection offered to the athletes and spectators of the Games.
“Rang” comes from the middle letter of “Ho-rang-i”, the Korean word for “tiger,” and is also the last letter of “Jeong-seon A-ri-rang”, a cherished traditional folk song of Gangwon Province, where the Games will be held.
Bandabi is an Asiatic black bear, which are native to the Korean peninsula.
Its name is also formed from two Korean words: “bandal” and “bi” – the first of which means ‘half-moon’, like the crescent on a black bear’s chest, and the second a commemoration to celebrate the Games and it’s ability to bring nations together .
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