15 Dec 2014

Rio 2016 Mascots named

4:24 pm on 15 December 2014

Vinicius will be the name of the Rio Olympic Games mascot following a three-week on-line vote.

The Paralympic Games mascot will be called Tom.

The names are in honour of two greats of Brazilian music, Vinicius de Moraes and Tom Jobim, said organisers after 323,327 public votes.

Vinicius, mascot of the Olympic Games, is a yellow feline animal representing Brazil's rich fauna and wildlife.

Vinicius Rio Mascot

Vinicius Rio Mascot Photo: Rio 2016

The Paralympic Games mascot is a predominantly blue and green figure whose head is covered with leaves, depicting the host country's rich vegetation.

The first Olympics to be held in South America will take place in August 2016.