Meet Quatchi, Miga and Sumi -- the Official Mascots of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games

(BEIJING, November 28) -- Our friends in Canada have reached a major milestone on their way to the next Winter Games. On Tuesday, the organizers of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games introduced the mascots to the public through a special theatrical event for 800 schoolchildren.

Named Quatchi, Miga and Sumi, the mascots will meet and greet athletes, visitors and fans from around the world when they visit Vancouver and Whistler. Each of the distinct mascots is a mythical creature inspired by local legend: Quatchi -- a sasquatch, Miga -- a snowboarding sea bear, and Sumi -- an animal spirit.

Quatchi, Miga and Sumi now have a place in Olympic mascot history, joining, among others, Fuwa from our 2008 Olympic Summer Games.

A global audience can meet the mascots 'virtually,' read their stories and enjoy the interactive features on the Vancouver 2010 mascot website

For further information, please visit the official website of Vancouver 2010 at www.vancouver2010.com.