The mascot for the 2008 Paralympic Games was unveiled Wednesday
night at a grand ceremony at the Badaling section of the Great
Wall, marking the two-year countdown to the games.
In the presence of Zeng Qinghong, China's vice president, Philip
Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee(IPC)
and Liu Qi, President of the Beijing 2008 Organizing Committee
(BOCOG), the mascot was presented to the attending guests and, via
live television broadcasting, to the public.
The mascot, named Fu Niu Lele, is modeled after a cow.
"The design of the mascot absorbs the style of the Chinese
culture, embodying the harmony between man and nature and
resembling the traditional design styles unique to China's folk
engraved prints and folk toys," said Liu Qi.
"The characteristics of a cow, like diligence, determination,
courage, endurance and strength, also incorporate the spirit of
Paralympians competing in Paralympic Games."
Craven said the Beijing Paralympic mascot epitomizes another
side of sport.
"On the one hand, sport is about medal winning athleticism but
on the other hand, sport and participation in sport, brings
happiness, fun and enjoyment to people all over the world," he
said.
"This colorful ambassador of joy will attract people of all ages
to the universal message of Paralympic Sport, which is 'Spirit in
Motion'."
After the unveiling, licensed mascot products and stamps will go
on sale nationwide, organizers said.
The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games will be held from 6 to 17
September 2008, with expected 4,000 athletes from 150 countries and
regions participating in 20 sports.
(Xinhua News Agency September 7, 2006)
