(Quatchi: Left, Miga: Bottom, Sumi: Top and Pedobear: Right)
Pedobear has been lurking around the internet for years, originally known as 'kuma' from a Japanese anime. He later became known as the infamous Pedobear on 4chan, and is used by internet-goers to humorously mock pedophiles and inappropriate photos of people who look underage.
This image of the Vancouver Olympic Pedobear was created by Michael Barrick last July, to poke fun at the mascots. This photo was originally sent to me by my boyfriend as he decided to quiz me on my Olympic Mascot knowledge. He asked me to pick out the mascot that was NOT one of the official Vancouver Olympic Mascots - I failed (picking Quatchi). I later quizzed my brother asking him the same question and he failed as well, picking Sumi. I guess Pedobear blends in well with the original three mascots. Others seem to think so too!
Within the last few months, the Pedobear mascot photo has appeared in several publications being mistaken as the official Vancouver Olympic Mascots. The publications include:
The Olympic Committee has not made any comment on the mascot photo, even though it has been used in several publications. From a PR perspective, I believe the Olympic Committee should put out a new release to let people know that this is in fact, not an official photo. A news release could prevent the Pedobear photo from appearing for a fifth time in Olympic media coverage. To build positive spirit and support for the Vancouver Olympics, our mascots need to be recognized for their significance to our country (native history and mythology) not for a Pedobear meme.
This image of the Vancouver Olympic Pedobear was created by Michael Barrick last July, to poke fun at the mascots. This photo was originally sent to me by my boyfriend as he decided to quiz me on my Olympic Mascot knowledge. He asked me to pick out the mascot that was NOT one of the official Vancouver Olympic Mascots - I failed (picking Quatchi). I later quizzed my brother asking him the same question and he failed as well, picking Sumi. I guess Pedobear blends in well with the original three mascots. Others seem to think so too!
Within the last few months, the Pedobear mascot photo has appeared in several publications being mistaken as the official Vancouver Olympic Mascots. The publications include:
- 2 tv guide magazines - in Poland and Lithuania
- 2 newspapers - in Germany and Netherlands
The Olympic Committee has not made any comment on the mascot photo, even though it has been used in several publications. From a PR perspective, I believe the Olympic Committee should put out a new release to let people know that this is in fact, not an official photo. A news release could prevent the Pedobear photo from appearing for a fifth time in Olympic media coverage. To build positive spirit and support for the Vancouver Olympics, our mascots need to be recognized for their significance to our country (native history and mythology) not for a Pedobear meme.
