by Becky Robbins

Created on: November 12, 2009

Vancouver will welcome almost 2,500 athletes to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games on February 12, 2010. At the head of the welcoming committee is not one, but three Olympic Mascots. Each mascot has his own Olympic dreams and is eager to share them with competitors and spectators alike.

Miga

Miga is a combination of killer whale and Kermode bear. She is called a Sea Bear and lives off the coast of Vancouver Island. A Kermode bear is a rare white bear that can only be found in British Columbia. Her favorite winter sport is snowboarding, so you will surely catch her studying the half-pipe events.

Pacific Northwest First Nations' legends inspired the creation of Miga. Stories of orca whales transforming into bears on land were the inspiration for the little sea bear. Since Kermode bears are a unique species, and the First Nations dubbed these beautiful creatures "Spirit Bears," it seemed only natural to honor the First Nations. After all, the First Nations were protectors of the sea.

Sumi

Sumi hails from the mountains of British Columbia. This animal spirit is protector of his homeland's creatures, as well as the land and water. This is evident in his makeup - as he combines the most revered animals; the thunderbird, the black bear, and the orca whale.

The themes of West Coast First Nations also inspired the creation of Sumi. Transformation was evident throughout the First Nations' beliefs. It was a connection between spirits, animals, and humans. While the most revered creatures were used in the formation of Sumi, it makes him quite a powerful animal spirit.

Quatchi

Yet another local legend on the Pacific West Coast inspired Quatchi. He is a Sasquatch, that mysterious creature that roams the Canadian forests. Quatchi is known as the shy mascot, but he is still eager to make new friends.

You will probably find Quatchi making his rounds to enjoy each sport. However, he is sure to make a stop at some of the hockey matches. His Olympic dream is to become a great goalie and one of the best ways to do so is to observe the greats.

These three mascots represent the history and culture of Vancouver that made it a great choice for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The first groups of people living in the Vancouver area were the tribes of the First Nations. The Four Host First Nations will be taking an active role in the Olympic events. If you find yourself traveling to Vancouver for the Games, be sure to meet the mascots. You will experience the kindness of these protectors of the nature around you. Miga, Sumi, and Quatchi represent all those who have a dream of participating in the Olympics.

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