(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.
"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."
ReplyDeleteThat begs the question: is the pedobear meme a reflection of the best we have to offer? Maybe us North America's are cool with have a pedo as our mascot. After all, COPS is the longest running TV series on this continent.
Kidding aside, this is one of the funniest things I have heard of. I'm not quite sure how it has passed under the radar for so long, let alone why VANOC has let this slip. One would have assumed that simply issuing a correction that the Vancouver Olympics was not associated with a cuddly animal that prays on the youth in a sexual fashion, would have been been done by now. Well, at least they didn't invite Shotacat as well. Who knows, maybe the partyvan will show up soon enough.
Actually, Pedo-bear is kinda cute. I think that's why he gets put in magazines. =)
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