Lausanne 2020 Mascot Unveiled

(ATR) The first public appearance of the Lausanne 2020 mascot highlights a "one year to go" celebration in the Olympic capital.

Yodli is described by organizers as "a hybrid animal, composed of several emblematically Swiss animals that live in the Swiss mountains: a cow, a goat and of course a St. Bernard dog.

"Their different characteristics and relationships with the environment are embodied in Yodli, who signifies the diversity of the participants of the Winter Youth Olympic Games Lausanne 2020."

The mascot was unveiled on Tuesday nightat the Malley ice rink before the Swiss Ice Hockey Championship match between Lausanne Hockey Club and Hockey Club Davos from the Grisons region. Lausanne 2020 says the game symbolized the true national dimension of the 2020 Youth Olympic Games, which will take place in both of these regions, as well as the Canton of Valais and neighbouring France.

"We are delighted to be able to celebrate this symbolic date with our friends from Grisons, Valais and neighbouring France," said Ian Logan,CEO of the Organizing Committee, said in a statement."From its base in Vaud, Lausanne 2020 transcends cantonal and even national borders. This enthusiasm will continue to grow throughout the year, and we look forward to it all."

Yodli was designed in a collaborative effort by 140 students from Eracom, an art and communication school in Lausanne. During the process, various drafts were shown to school children from Lausanne and surrounding areas, to collect feedback and adapt the mascot. The final design was then approved by 500 young Swiss athletes aged 12 to 18.

"The empowerment of young people through the organisation and delivery of the event is a central element of Lausanne 2020," Virginie Faivre, the new President of the Organizing Committee, said. "I am delighted to continue to highlight the multitude of similar projects currently underway throughout 2019."

The Lausanne 2020 Youth Olympic Organizing Committee (YOGOC) is also holding a short ceremony on Wednesday in the Flon neighborhood, in the heart of Lausanne, which will serve as the Medals Plaza during Games time. A concert by Swiss Olympic snowboarder and musician Pat Burgener will be featured before the OMEGA countdown clock begins its countdown from 365 days.

The third Winter Youth Olympic Games, which will run from January 9-20, 2020, will feature 1,800 athletes aged 15 to 18 competing in eight sports.

Written by Gerard Farek

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