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Cobi

Olympic Mascot
1988 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The first Olympic mascot 'Waldi' a Daschund dog appeared at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. Mascots are used communicate the Olympic spirit to the general public, especially youth and children. They are usually a character or animal native to the country where the games are being held and showcase the history and culture unique to the host city. In more recent years it has been common to have more than one mascot. This could be to ensure gender equity but has undoubtedly increased the merchandising potential of the Olympic mascot.

This Olympic mascot is a plastic dog called Cobi made for the Barcelona games in 1992. He was designed by the Valencian cartoonist Javier Mariscal. Several figures were made of Cobi in a range of stances and sports. The Barcelona Organising Committee for the Olympics specially produced a TV series for Cobi and he has endured as one of the most loved Olympic mascots.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 3 parts.

  • Figure
  • Sail
  • Packaging
TitleCobi (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Plastic, card
Brief description
A figure with box of 'Cobi' designed for the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, made in Barcelona by Comansi in 1988
Physical description
Plastic figure of Cobi a Catalan sheepdog. He is wearing a white vested suit with Olympic logo on and stands on a white boat with a red stripe which also has a detachable plastic sail red and white striped bearing Olympic logo. It comes in a box with plastic display front features Cobi printed on each side and Barcelona Olympics written on the back with the logo. The front of the box has 'MASCOTA OFICIAL' written in white on an orange oval background.
Dimensions
  • Height: 17.5cm
  • Width: 14.5cm
  • Depth: 5cm
Production typeMass produced
Subject depicted
Association
Summary
The first Olympic mascot 'Waldi' a Daschund dog appeared at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. Mascots are used communicate the Olympic spirit to the general public, especially youth and children. They are usually a character or animal native to the country where the games are being held and showcase the history and culture unique to the host city. In more recent years it has been common to have more than one mascot. This could be to ensure gender equity but has undoubtedly increased the merchandising potential of the Olympic mascot.

This Olympic mascot is a plastic dog called Cobi made for the Barcelona games in 1992. He was designed by the Valencian cartoonist Javier Mariscal. Several figures were made of Cobi in a range of stances and sports. The Barcelona Organising Committee for the Olympics specially produced a TV series for Cobi and he has endured as one of the most loved Olympic mascots.
Collection
Accession number
B.147-2009

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Record createdJanuary 26, 2010
Record URL
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