The 2016 Rio Olympic Games mascot was unveiled Monday, and while we don't know what the name of the creature is, one thing's for sure. Following in the line of cat-like creatures that are not cats—pointing the finger at you, Hello Kitty—it's not a feline.
According to its official description, the long-limbed, pointy-eared, tailed creature is a mixture of all the Brazilian animals including cats, monkeys and birds. It should come as no surprise that he is existentially pondering "Who am I?" on his description page.
Likewise, his sidekick, the Paralympic Games mascot, is a tree that is not a tree. It's a combination of all the plant life in the Brazilian forests. Or it's an overenthusiastic artichoke that's turning blue from lack of oxygen. Take your pick.
People echoed the same confused reaction on Twitter.
Rio's Olympic mascots are a wacky, yellow cat and a weird blob that has plants for hair http://t.co/hKCnDYjpdUpic.twitter.com/hO7A5WZT5O
— For The Win (@ForTheWin) November 24, 2014 Behold the Rio 2016 mascots, Cat-Thing and Shrubby http://t.co/pCwes31IEi
— Ian Prior (@ianprior) November 24, 2014 The Rio 2016 mascots. Are awful. Fuleco is a Warhol in comparison.
— Fernando Duarte (@Fernando_Duarte) November 24, 2014 A yellow "cat-like" thing with a brother with a bush for a head. Unnamed Rio 2016 mascots unveiled: http://t.co/tlZHbzvjxk
— Owen Gibson (@owen_g) November 24, 2014 Flashbacks to Pokemon and Mario Bros. 2 -> Rio unveils 2016 Olympic mascots http://t.co/iMKTwvSjnM via @TIMEWorldpic.twitter.com/hq2idu5BMj
— Michèle (@MicDio) November 24, 2014 Rio 2016 mascots featuring a Lego Tina Turner. pic.twitter.com/o1Mu4KpYas
— Roberticus (@Santapelota) November 24, 2014 Do the mascots for the Rio Olympics remind you of anyone? pic.twitter.com/W9NjLqNmxn
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) November 24, 2014It could have been worse. They're downright cute compared to the one-eyed monsters that London touted (not a euphemism for something else) or the phallic banana-color creatures that represented Athens (still not a euphemism).
The Rio committee is asking people to submit names for the beings on its website. For some inspiration, see them in action in the video below.
