More than 100 sketches, 2,000 rubles and a random tear: how the Olympic bear was created

A bear became the mascot of the XXII Summer Olympic Games in Moscow. It would seem that this is so symbolic that there could be no other decision. However, not everything is so simple. It was not without competition, but Mishka won in a fair fight.

Time has shown that the choice was justified – the symbol became legendary. Perhaps it was not only the careful selection of sketches and the talent of the artist… The secret ingredient that created the right mood was one small detail – a tear. But let’s talk about everything in order. Why Mishka? Who proposed the idea and how was it realized?

Absolute champion of the USSR in rhythmic gymnastics Dalia Kutkaite

From sketch to real emotions

In 1977, the organizing committee of the upcoming Olympics announced a competition for the best image of the symbol. Various artists joined the competition. The victory went to 42-year-old illustrator Viktor Chizhikov. He was known for his drawings for children’s books.

The artist recalls that at that time he and his friends made more than 100 pencil sketches. The organizers received 60 of the best variants. Victor’s work came out in the lead. He was asked to depict the sketch in color.

Victor Chizhikov

The next step was to introduce the Olympic symbols. According to Chizhikov, he puzzled over it for several months, until a miracle happened. The solution came in a dream. He saw a girdled Bear. That’s how the animal got his rings. They were placed on his belt buckle.

The work of the artist liked and the President of the International Olympic Committee, Lord Michael Morris Killanin. December 17, 1977 the symbol was approved.

A painter at the Dulevo Porcelain Factory paints teddy bears

What did Victor Chizhikov receive for this? Fabulous his remuneration can not be called. It certainly did not guarantee a trouble-free old age. If you believe the director Matvey Osherovsky, the artist’s fee amounted to only 2000 rubles, which at that time was equal to the average annual salary.

List of contenders

What were the competitors for Mishka? The organizers also considered the following options: Konyok-Horbunok, Matryoshka and Petrushka. To make an informed choice, the organizers launched a popular vote. The public opted for the bear. The organizing committee was not against it, because this animal also symbolizes important sports values: strength and perseverance.

By the way, the mascot was also given a name – Mikhail Potapych Toptygin.

The bear soars upwards

How a mistake became a chip

Lev Nemchik, the artistic director, had to organize the process of the image’s embodiment. It was he who created the screen with a giant jigsaw puzzle depicting the animal holding a bouquet.

Initially it was planned that the main hero of the closing of the games would not be him, but Mishka, soaring up on balloons. He was to fly away, waving his paw to the athletes and thus touching everyone.

The image of the mascot, located on the screen, was not going to be somehow involved in the drama of the moment. Next to it there was just an inscription: “Have a good trip”. But the original script was changed. A mistake by one of the participants led to the fact that it was the on-screen Mishka who was given the mission to move everyone to tears.

The legendary tear

It’s about a tear that rolled from the animal’s eye. Everyone was sure that it was a carefully prepared special effect… In fact, the cuteness came out by accident. It was the result of an oversight at the rehearsal. How did it happen?

To understand, you need to understand the mechanism of creating a “bear puzzle”. The screen was held by soldiers. Each had a scheme with the number of flags on his back. At a certain sound, they changed in unison.

Rehearsals were long. Often someone simply fell asleep. It was at the moment of falling asleep that one of the soldiers made a fateful mistake. When he opened his eyes, he automatically raised the brown flag instead of the white one. The coordinator gave the command to do the right thing. Everything went wrong.

Reproduction of the poster “Moscow-1980”

Participants in those rehearsals recall that Lev Nemchik was a strict and very responsible director. For every mistake he severely reprimanded. Everyone was expecting that after such a blunder the crowd would scream… But it didn’t happen.

“Stop! Such a row! Such a place! Repeat!” – suddenly asked Nemchik.

In the mistake, the art director saw the animation – on the cheek of the animal as if a tear rolled down. It was decided to make changes. Nemchik thought that such a touching nuance could not leave anyone indifferent. The plan worked. The spectators in the stands and participants of the Olympics cried, saying goodbye to Mishka.

Bear from the “3-2-1 Museum of Olympic Movement and Sport” in Qatar