VANCOUVER 2010 WINTER OLYMPICS | THE LOOK OF THE GAMES :: THE MASCOTS ::: FREE MUKMUK NOW!

In a previous post here I mentioned that my favourite mascot is the virtual Mukmuk.

I came across the following story in Metro, and thought I’d cut and paste it for future reference. There are others who feel the same as I do! Free the Marmot!

PROTESTERS CHAMPION MEEK MARMOT MASCOT

SEAN KOLENKO for METRO VANCOUVER, 24 FEBRUARY 2010

If an activist group calling themselves the MukMuk Mascoteers has their way, the virtual critter will achieve official mascot status for the remainder of the Olympics.

Organizers led a nearly 20-person rally yesterday afternoon around the Vancouver Art Gallery, chanting slogans of ‘marmots have feelings too’ and ‘free MukMuk now.’

The group attracted quite the crowd of onlookers — about 50 people — who were in the area taking pictures of the countdown clock and the mural currently wrapping the gallery.

‘We are just a group of people having a great time at the Olympics,’ said Shantel Shave, co-ordinator of the MukMuk Mascoteers.

‘We just wanted to get out there, add a bit more fun and make sure this doesn’t happen to sidekicks in the future.’

While yesterday’s rally was planned over the past week, support for MukMuk — who represents the endangered marmot population of Vancouver Island — has been building since 2008 when the official Olympic mascots, Quatchi, Miga and Sumi, were announced.

Originally, MukMuk was meant to remain an online-based sidekick to the big three, but overwhelming public support forced VANOC to put MukMuk on official Olympic merchandise.

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Photos: Carol Browne, Flickr

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I also like the first comment:

Couldn’t Agree More

MukMuk is the only mascot that actually represents an animal … and an endangered one at that. It’s the cutest mascot of the 4 and because of his lowly status we felt we had to buy one and take him to Mexico where he’s more appreciated! We bought him a sombrero and he’s a big hit with the children. Go MukMuk and the mascoteers !!!

“Sombrero from Mexico” by (nutmeg), Flickr

Rally Fraud

A quick Google search reveals that the organizers of this rally work for advertising agencies. The media is having the wool pulled over it’s eyes. Do your homework Metro News.

– Dave Quitlam

TINY ACTIVISTS IN ACTION:

EMILY McBRYAN, 12

KATRINA MELAN, 5

RIANNA MELAN, 9

SAVANNAH HUTTON, 6

SAMANTHA HERLE, 9 (almost 10!)

CIARA DI SALLE, 10

Tiny Tot activist drawings from Jeff Lee, “Free Mukmuk: The Art,” The Vancouver Sun, 17 March 2008. CLICK ON THE ARTWORK TO ENLARGE AND READ THESE KIDS’ IMPASSIONED PLEAS TO BREAK MUKMUK FROM HIS “SIBER JAIL.”

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ONLY IN VANCOUVER, I SWEAR!

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VANCOUVER 2010 WINTER OLYMPICS | THE LOOK OF THE GAMES :: THE MASCOTS ::: WHY MUKMUK RULES

THE VANCOUVER 2010 WINTER OLYMPICS SUITE