Sochi 2014 Announces Design Mascot Competition

Every Russian resident will have a chance to submit their ideas for the mascot during a three-month time period by submitting applications via a competition portal, talisman.sochi2014.ru, or by mail. The winning entry will be chosen by a national vote on February 7, 2011, three years before the Games begin.

Dmitry Chernyshenko, President and CEO of Sochi 2014 said, "the Olympic Mascot will become the most important symbol of the Sochi 2014 Games over the new few years and will represent Russia on the world stage. It should reflect the national and cultural characteristics of Russia, be in keeping with the spirit of the occasion, generate positive emotions and promote Olympic and Paralympic values".

There will be two sets of nominations - nominations for the Olympic Mascot - the symbol of the XXII Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, and nominations for the Paralympic Mascot - the symbol of the XI Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi.

A Sochi 2014 press release said entries should include an image of the mascot, which should be the entrant's own work. Entries can be in colour or black and white and can be created using any technique, including computer graphics.

Applications should be sent along with an image of the mascot and a completed form to the Sochi 2014 Organising Committee between September 1 and December 5, 2010 via the competition website or by post to P.O. Box "Sochi 2014 Mascot", Moscow, 105275.

As they are received the ideas for the mascot will be put on the dedicated interactive site. There is no limit to the number of entries submitted by each applicant. The full text of the competition rules are on talisman.sochi2014.ru.

A board of experts made up of animation directors, artists, cultural figures, marketing specialists, and sportsmen and women will select the finalists December 6 to 15, 2010. The winners will be chosen February 7, 2011 by a nationwide text message and telephone vote and the results announced on a live broadcast.

Winners will receive two tickets to the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi Games depending on whether their mascot was chosen for the Olympics or Paralympics.