The Salt Lake 2002 mascots aim to reflect the Olympic motto "Citius, Altius Fortius" (Faster, Higher, Stronger). With this in mind, three animals, a snowshoe hare, a coyote and a black bear, were chosen to symbolise the motto.

   "Powder" snowshoe hare (Faster): At one time, the sun was burning up the earth. The hare ran swiftly to the top of the mountain. Shooting her arrow at the sun, she dropped it lower in the sky and cooled the land.

   "Copper" coyote (Higher): When the world turned dark and froze, the coyote climbed the highest mountain top and stole the flame from the fire people. He brought warmth back to the Earth.

   "Coal" American black bear (Stronger): Long ago, brave hunters left their villages to track the mighty bear, but the bear was too strong and outlasted the hunters. Today, sons of the hunters continue the chase in the night sky.

Credit: IOC

For further info., please visit http://www.olympic.org/uk/games/past/index_uk.asp?OLGT=2&OLGY=2002.