Originally named Whatizit when he (or is it a “she”?) was unveiled at the close of the 1992 Barcelona games, Izzy was unlike previous mascots in that he did not evoke an animal or human that resonated with the host country’s culture. In Barcelona, he appeared as a blue, tear-shaped blob with a toothy grin showing both rows of teeth. When this design met with less than critical acclaim, Izzy was modified to appeal more to children, and his bottom row of teeth was removed, at which point the name was changed. Izzy’s back story was told in an animated television special, called Izzy’s Quest for Olympic Gold.
Those Loony Olympic Mascots
London's eerie choices for the 2012 games prompt questions about what makes a successful mascot. From the cute and cuddly to the creepy, absurd, and ethically questionable, a visual survey of past Olympic mascots.