Meant to represent snow and ice, Neve and Gliz were chosen from among 237 proposals, though one fears what the losing candidates looked like. Created by designer Pedro Albuquerque, Neve (the word means “snow” in Italian) and Gliz (short for ghiaccio, “ice” in Italian) they were described by the organizers as a reflection of “the spirit of the Italian Olympic event: passion, enthusiasm, culture, elegance, and love of the environment and of sport.”
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.