Every where you turn, there’s something going on downtown. Why just today after work, I saw this a mere block away from my office out front of The Bay.
There were piles of people taking this fuzzy blue animal’s photo. And who was the person in the cool red tracksuit? The design on the back is very cool. Luckily, they did turn around this is who they are…
This is the Blue Cheburashka, a mascot for the Russian team. I can’t tell if it’s the official Olympic mascot yet as the Russians will be hosting the next winter games in 2014. Perhaps it’s a bit early to know for sure. But anyway, this blue character was very popular – there were Russian and Japanese people surrounding it at one point taking a ton of photos. I guess it’s an anime character in Japan as well.
The person escorting this blue fuzzy animal was this woman wearing an athlete’s uniform.
I’m not sure who she is…I tried to find use my face recognition skills with this list of Russian Olympic Team found here, but had no luck.
I also spotted this Russian athlete nearby:
Also, no luck trying to figure out who he is…the Russians have great big team here – 179 athletes from the look of the list. And I really like the design on their uniforms.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Oooohhh! I love the Russian tracksuits. So much better than the black prison suits we are making our athletes wear.
They really are cool. I’m with you, Kelaine!
Those tracksuits are totally foxy. I have to say, Carol, I get so hung up on what a boondoggle the Olympics are for the cities that host them that I forget that it seems like a lot of fun. I’ve so enjoyed your pictures, particularly the ones this week, that really capture how exciting it must be for the athletes and how it must give the city a pretty cool buzz.
What a handsome woman! Excellent photos of her. I love their track suits. This is getting exciting even for me! I would put in that she is a coach or a PR person. I would look for prior Olypic athelete listings for her picture.
I was so worried about traffic for the Olympics. I was convinced I would have to leave for work early and sit and knit in traffic – oh the pain! And this morning I drove staight to the Queensborough Bridge and didn’t even have to merge with the traffic from 6th Avenue and 20th Street! Traffic during the Olympics might just be a breeze for me. Maybe.
This is so cool! It must be SO MUCH FUN right now to be around Vancouver!! I agree with Pookie — it all sounds on paper like such a pain, but then you get to see the stuff you’ve been documenting, and realize that it can be really exciting and such a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
As I lover of all things tracksuit related I am very impressed by the Russian’s tracksuits. I suspect the lady in the photo is probably a coach to one or some of the Russian team so I wouldn’t beat yourslef up about the lack of face recognition. Like you I also really like the motif on the back of her tracksuit
Those tracksuits are awesome!! I bought mine in Moscow last summer. It made by Bosco Sport-the official clothing company for Team Russia. They have a lot of other stuff: jackets, hats, backbacks, sweaters, t shirts etc. But unfortunately you can only buy them in Russia-they don’t have online store
Just so you know the blue thing is named Cheburashka which is part of an old very well known Russian folk tale. She has been the Russian mascot since 2004 in Greece. She is similar in Russia to Mickey Mouse in America in terms of popularity. He has even had cartoons and is popular in Japan. American figure skater Johnny Weir even collects the little things. If you want to know more check out You can get more information about it at http://www.cheburashkas.com/index.php.
Hey, does anyone know where you could find a blue Vancouver Olympic Stuffed Cheburashka? I would love one. I’ve loved Cheburashka since I was little and I’ve decided to buy one.
Buy white, red and blue cherubashki at Russia House in the Science World building.
Proud to be a Russian!!! Cheer for them! You have all our support, guys!
Whoever want to buy blue cheburashka-check ebay. There is guy selling cheburashka from all olympic games. And you only pay for shipping once-no matter how many toys you bought.
a Veritible Cheburashka Resource Kit!
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