The Swiss Team has arrived with their chocolate, the Italian’s with their shoes, and the Aussies with their boxing kangaroo flag proudly displayed at the Olympic Village. The medal and flower bearer clothes are getting criticism, the Canada Pavilion is turning into a joke, Cypress mountain is importing snow and many Vancouver commuters are not enjoy the road closures at all. It seems like an endless sea of complaints. Am I one of the few who are more than excited and feel like a kid at Christmas when it comes to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games? I have my Canada sweatshirt, my red mitts, tickets to two events and my Olympic spirit all ready to welcome the world here over the next month for both the Olympic and Paralympic games! One more week until the World comes to Vancouver!!!!!!!!
There is so much information out there on the various sites andpublications that it seems impossible to be able to soak everything in over the next month! I am trying hard at lunch to wander the city and check the sites out when I can but it almost seems like you need to be on vacation to take in everything! It’s gonna be tough, but I am on a mission! Just like I was to get the Red Mittens that are selling like mad. Originally, they planned on selling about 1 million of these hot little items, but now are on target to sell 3 million!!! All proceeds go directly back to the athletes too. But right before Christmas, there were line-ups to get them and they were selling out instantly as soon as they hit the store. Just yesterday, the Bay, Home Outfitters and Zellers all received their final shipments so here’s hoping they have enough to last through the games! The mittens remind me of those 1998 Nagano Olympic Roots poor boy hats – everyone had to have one. I even remember the three Princes (Chuck, Will and Harry) sporting some! Kudos to the Hudson Bay company on this year’s clothing and accessories for the Games.
The mascots, inspired by traditional First Nations creatures, are growing on me too. Well, maybe just Quatchi, but there are also Miga, Sumi and Mukmuk.
Miga — A mythical sea bear, part orca and part kermode bear.
Quatchi — A sasquatch, who wears boots and earmuffs.
Sumi — An animal guardian spirit who wears the hat of the orca whale, flies with the wings of the mighty Thunderbird and runs on the strong furry legs of the black bear.
Mukmuk — A Vancouver Island marmot.
Miga and Quatchi are mascots for the Olympic Games, while Sumi is the mascot for the Paralympic Games. These three are the main mascots for the games and Mukmuk is not exactly a mascot but more of a sidekick, the first one ever.
So all you locals, turn your frowns, upside down and smile and welcome the world! Showcase that Vancouver is awesome… look who agrees with me:
Until next time…
