Lausanne 2020 unveiled its official mascot
Lausanne 2020 Organising Committee revealed its official mascot one year before the opening of the 3rd Winter Youth Olympic Games. It has been designed by 140 students from eracom, the Swiss French School of Arts and Communication.
It was introduced to the crowd prior to a Swiss National Hockey League match between Lausanne Hockey Club and HC Davos on the eve of the one year to go milestone until the opening of the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach and Virginie Faivre, who replaced the late Patrick Baumann as head of the Lausanne 2020 Organising Committee, were among those in attendance.
Lausanne 2020 claims the yodel singing technique, popular in Switzerland and in areas of France, was the inspiration for the name of the masoct. Yodli is a cross between a cow, goat and the Saint Bernard breed of dog, all of which are commonly found in the Swiss mountains. Yodli is said to have been born and raised in the Swiss mountains, areas of which will play host to sporting events when the Olympic capital hosts the event next year.
The unveiling of the mascot is seen as a key milestone for Organising Committees of major events as the character will feature prominently in promoting the multi-sport Games.
Lausanne 2020 is due to mark one year to go to the start of the Winter Youth Olympics with a celebratory event at the Place des Médailles, which will host medal ceremonies, today.
