Vancouver 2010 - The Adventures of Quatchi, Miga and Sumi Begin in Earnest

Vancouver 2010 - The Adventures of Quatchi, Miga and Sumi Begin in Earnest: "Quatchi, Miga and Sumi. These are the names of the three critters who will meet and greet athletes, visitors, and fans in Vancouver and Whistler for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Each of the creatures is distinct and special – both in personality and in appearance. One is big, gentle and shy . . . one is small, mischievous and outgoing . . . and one is a natural-born leader with a passion for protecting the environment. All three are mythical creatures with roots in local legend. One is a sasquatch. One is a sea-bear. And one is an animal guardian spirit. They are all, to say the least, unique.

There was a method to the creative madness that spawned such imaginative critters. “We wanted mascots that could achieve a great deal,” said John Furlong, Chief Executive Officer of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), who underscored, “They had to appeal to children from all over the world, they needed to represent the people, geography, and spirit of British Columbia and Canada, and they had to personify the values and essence of the 2010 Winter Games . . . . In short, they needed to be many things all at once.” We think they are."