The 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games mascots were officially revealed on the 26th, following a nationwide vote broadcast live across Russia. After a public referendum, three beloved animals—graceful snow leopards, playful polar bears, and charming rabbits—were chosen as the official mascots for the games. These characters quickly became symbols of hope, joy, and national pride for the upcoming Winter Olympics. Snow Leopard emerged as the most popular choice, securing 28% of the votes. The Sochi Olympic Committee decided to select the top three mascots based on public preference, with the snow leopard, polar bear, and rabbit making the final cut. In addition, "Sunshine Boy" and "Snowflake Girls" were chosen as the Paralympic mascots, representing the spirit of inclusivity and determination. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin personally expressed his support for the snow leopard, calling it a powerful and elegant animal that embodies both strength and beauty. The snow leopard is one of the rarest big cats in the world, found only in the remote Ussuriysk region of Russia’s Far East. The mascot selection process began last September when the Sochi Winter Olympics committee launched a global design competition. Over the course of three months, more than 24,000 entries were received, from which 11 designs were shortlisted. These included Snow Leopard, Sun, Snowflake, Rabbit, Dolphin, Santa Claus, and Matryoshka, among others. Winning designers will be rewarded with two tickets to the opening ceremony and special gifts. The Sochi Winter Olympics, held from February 7 to 23, 2014, marked Russia’s first-ever Winter Olympic Games, taking place in the coastal city of Sochi. Interestingly, the polar bear mascot faced some controversy. It was reported that the design bore striking similarities to a 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics mascot, a Russian brown bear created by Victor Kirikov. During an interview, Kirikov claimed the polar bear design “stole” elements from his original work, including the eyes, nose, and smile. However, he also acknowledged that the bear was a traditional and well-liked symbol, and he had no objections to its use if properly credited. Despite this, the Sochi organizers did not seek Kirikov’s involvement, as legal documents at the time did not grant him copyright over the 1980 mascot. He clarified that the Olympic Committee had refused to sign any agreement with him back then. The final selection of the 2014 Sochi mascots was made through a national vote, with nearly 1 million Russians participating via SMS and toll-free calls. This massive public engagement reflected the deep emotional connection people had with the chosen animals, ensuring the mascots would be a lasting legacy of the games.

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