There are less than 100 days until the kickoff of the 2020 Summer Olympics! (Airing in 2021, the year 2020 will remain in the name as the Tokyo Olympics were delayed due to COVID-19.)

The last time we checked in with these Olympic mascots, Miraitowa and Someity had just received their names. A lot has happened over the last year, so let’s get everyone up to speed on these Olympic icons.

Meet Miraitowa

Miraitowa is the official Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games mascot. Created by Ryo Taniguchi, the name Miraitowa is derived from two Japanese words. “Mirai” which means future and “Towa” meaning eternity. The name is meant to symbolize a future of eternal hope for people around the world.

Miraitowa embodies old tradition and new innovation. The character’s forehead bears the emblem of the Tokyo 2020 Games, a traditional chessboard motif composed of blue rectangles in three different sizes. Watch Miraitowa’s video and you’ll get a glimpse at the mascot’s agility and passion for participation in a wide range of sporting events we’ll be watching during the Games.

Meet Someity

Someity is the official Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games mascot. Pronounced “soh-may-tee,”Someity’s name derives from two words. Someiyoshino, a popular type of cherry blossom, and the phrase “so mighty.”

Nothing is impossible for Someity! The mascot has a set of cherry blossom tactile sensors on the sides of its head. These sensors allow Someity to fly and move objects without touching them. Someity’s supernatural gifts are matched with the mascot’s ability to remain calm, collected, and converse with elements of nature such as the wind and stones. The mental and physical strength Someity possesses represents the Paralympic athletes that are able to overcome obstacles and make incredible strides towards success at the Paralympic Games.

Olympic and Paralympic Mascots Throughout History

The Tokyo 2020 website is currently sharing photo carousels of the Olympic and Paralympic mascots throughout the decades.

The Olympic mascots date as far back as Schuss at the 1968 Winter Olympics, Grenoble. More beloved favorites, including Sam at the 1984 Summer Olympics, Los Angeles, Wenlock from the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, and Vicinius from the 2016 Summer Olympics, Rio de Janerio are all spotted over the years. The carousel brings us up to speed with Soohorang, the white tiger that was the official mascot for the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics.

The Paralympic mascots got their start with Noggie and Joggi at Arnhem 1980. Take a look at more incredible Paralympic mascots including Aster at the 2006 Winter Paralympics, Turin, Fu Niu Lele at 2008 Paralympic Games, Beijing, and Tom from the 2016 Summer Olympics, Rio de Janerio. The carousel wraps with a highlight on Bandabi, an Asiatic black bear who was the official mascot for the PyeongChange 2018 Paralympic Winter Games.

2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games Mascots!

The fun isn’t over yet! Next year, we’ll see two new mascots debut at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.

Bing Dwen Dwen is a panda ambassador and the official Beijing 2022 Olympic Games mascot. The character wears a full body ice “shell” that allows Bing Dwen Dwen to skate, snowboard, and ski with awe-inspiring ease alongside the Olympic athletes.

Shuey Rhon Rhon, the official Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games mascot, is a Chinese lantern child. The mascot’s name was chosen to symbolize friendship, courage, and warm. Shuey Rhon Rhon, and Bing Dwen Dwen, can’t wait to spread Olympic Games joy with people around the world!

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