The mascots for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games were named during a ceremony in the Japanese capital on Sunday.
Tokyo has unveiled Miraitowa and Someity - mascots for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The mascots were named during a ceremony in the Japanese capital on Sunday.
The Olympic mascot, a blue-checked pointy-eared figure, was named as Miraitowa - combining the Japanese words 'mirai', meaning future, and 'towa', which means eternity.
The Paralympic counterpart, who is pink-checked and wears a cape, was named Someity after a variety of cherry blossom called Someiyoshino. Games organisers also said the name sounded similar to "so mighty" in English.
The mascots were revealed in February but remained unnamed until Sunday.
They were designed by illustrator Ryo Taniguchi, who won a nationwide competition that was determined by Japanese children, with his entries clinching more than half the total votes.
In a country that has a fondness for mascots, Tokyo 2020 organisers sought to create lovable characters for the Games with both selections said to have superpowers and an ability to teleport between the digital world and reality.
After the ceremony, the mascots reappeared on a boat that cruised down the Sumida river, waving to children on the riverbank as they passed some of Tokyo's most iconic landmarks.
1. 2020 Tokyo Olympics Mascots
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Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games mascot Miraitowa and Paralympic mascot Someity arrive on stage during the mascots' debut in Tokyo, Japan, July 22, 2018. (All Images: Reuters)
2. 2020 Tokyo Olympics Mascots
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Miraitowa and Someity ride on a boat during their debut event of water parade in front of Olympic village construction site with karate player Kiyo Shimizu and para-athlete Hajimu Ashida.
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Miraitowa and Someity ride on a boat during their debut event of water parade.
4. 2020 Tokyo Olympics Mascots
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The Olympic mascot, a blue-checked pointy-eared figure, was named as Miraitowa - combining the Japanese words 'mirai', meaning future, and 'towa', which means eternity. The Paralympic counterpart, who is pink-checked and wears a cape, was named Someity after a variety of cherry blossom called Someiyoshino.
5. 2020 Tokyo Olympics Mascots
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Dolls of Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games mascot Miraitowa and Paralympic mascot Someity are displayed at the mascot house in Tokyo.
6. 2020 Tokyo Olympics Mascots
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Miraitowa and Someity wave at the end of their water parade at Odaiba Marine Park.
7. 2020 Tokyo Olympics Mascots
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Miraitowa and Someity wave with Japan's Paralympic long-jumper Hajimu Ashida and children at the end of their water parade.
8. 2020 Tokyo Olympics Mascots
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Miraitowa and Someity, flanked by Japan's karateka Kiyo Shimkizu are greeted by children upon their arrival after their water parade at Odaiba Marine Park in Tokyo.
