In modern history, mascots have become an integral part of any sporting spectacle, representing the prevalent themes surrounding games or the hosting country.  And Tokyo Olympics 2020 will be no different.

With the introduction of Waldi, a colourful dachshund, a popular animal in Germany, in the 1972 Munich Olympics, the Summer Games had their first official mascot.

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Since then, mascots became an identity for the Olympics over the years. The last Olympics in Rio in 2016, saw Vinicius, a hybrid animal representing all Brazilian mammals at Rio de Janeiro. The Games in Beijing in 2008 had Beibei, Jingjing, Huanhuan, Yingying, and Nini. Athens had Athena and Phevos.

Similarly, this year, the Tokyo Games have their two mascots — Miraitowa for the Olympic Games and Someity for Paralympics.

What does Miraitowa represent?

According to the Olympics official website, Miraitowa is cheerful and remarkably athletic, with a very strong sense of integrity. The name Miraitowa is based on the Japanese words “mirai”, which means “future”, and “towa”, which means eternity. 

The name of the mascot represents the wish that the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games should lead to a future of everlasting hope in the hearts of everyone around the world.

And hope is what the Olympic Games will provide in the hearts of many as they see their favourite sporting personalities compete for the grandest title even amidst a raging pandemic.

Our Miraitowa also has a special power to instantly teleport anywhere it wants.

In a tribute to the tradition and modern innovation of Japanese culture, the mascot is styled with the Ai (indigo blue) Ichimatsu pattern from the Tokyo 2020 Games emblem. Its personality is inspired by the Japanese proverb, “learn from the past and develop new ideas.”

What does Someity represent?

Quite like Miraitowa, our Paralympic mascot Someity also represents Japan and its culture. It comes with telepathic powers and can fly.

Someity has a calm and quiet presence, guided by great inner strength, but can display superpowers that embody the toughness and determination of the Paralympic athletes, according to the official Olympics website.

The name Someity comes from “Someiyoshino” — a popular type of cherry blossom — and the phrase “so mighty”. The mascot represents the enormous mental and physical strength shown by Paralympic athletes, who overcome obstacles and redefine the boundaries of possibility.