Vinicius is a yellow cat-like creature that
represents Brazil's fauna. He was born out
of the explosion of joy that happened when
they announced that Rio would host the
Olympic Games on October 2009. From the
energy a magical being was formed.
VIN
ICIU
S
Why were they given these names?
They pay tribute to Brazilian musicians Vinicius de Moraes and Tom
Jobim. They were part of the group that created Bossa Nova, the
musical movement that got the whole world singing about the beauty of
Rio de Janeiro. Together, De Moraes and Jobim wrote The Girl from
Ipanema, one of the most-played songs of all time.
The Rio organizing committee offered three choices for the mascot
pairs, and it said Vinicius and Tom were chosen in a vote, in which about
320,000 people participated.
TOM Tom is a bushy-headed figure
reminiscent of the country's diverse
flora, such as that in the Amazon
Rainforest. The Paralympic mascot is a
magical creature, a fusion of plants
found in Brazilian forests. He was born
out of the happiness felt when Rio
found out they were hosting the
games.
