Smoky (Olympic mascot)

Not to be confused with Smokey (mascot).
Smoky
Smoky wearing his mascot blanket[1]
SpeciesCanis familiaris
BreedMongrel
SexMale
DiedApril 1934
Cause of deathVehicular accident
Known forBeing the mascot of the 1932 Summer Olympics

Smoky (1931 or 1932 – April 1934), occasionally spelled Smokey, was a dog who became the mascot of the 1932 Summer Olympics, specifically heralded by the approximately 2000 residents of the Olympic Village in Los Angeles.[2] Smoky is sometimes considered the first Olympic mascot.[3]

Smoky settled in the Los Angeles Olympic Village early in its preparation, with some sources claiming he was born the same day that construction began on 2 January 1932.[4][5][6] He was a small black dog of uncertain ancestry, believed to be a combination of Scottish terrier, bulldog, Australian sheep dog along with other breeds.[7] He became extremely popular with all visiting Olympic delegations, posing with athletes from all nations, and outfitted in a blanket that visitors pinned their medals, pins and many international badges on.[6][7] During the games, he survived a couple of broken legs.[6] Smoky briefly went missing on 14 July, with it claimed that "noted athletes from all over the world mourn his absence".[7] However, he returned the next day.[5]

After the games Smoky was adopted by Cynthia and Clark Smith and became a family pet.[8][6] In April 1934 he was run over and killed by an unknown speeding motorist.[6][9] His obituary in the Los Angeles Times said, "No resident of the village did more to spread international good will and friendliness than Smoky", calling him "the only inhabitant of the village who spoke every language. He used the universal sign language — just wagged his tail."[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ The Games of the Xth Olympiad "Los Angeles 1932", Official Report (PDF). Los Angeles, California: Wolfer Printing Company Inc. 1933. p. 258.
  2. ^ "Those Loony Olympic Mascots: Smoky, Los Angeles 1932". Time. 13 March 2012.
  3. ^ "Three Critters Join Salt Lake Effort". The Leaf-Chronicle. 16 May 1999. p. 25. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  4. ^ Downing, Sam. "Why the first Olympic mascot was greater than any modern mascot". www.nine.com.au. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  5. ^ a b "'Smokey', Mascot of Games City, Returns". The San Francisco Examiner. 16 July 1932. p. 14. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Smoky, Olympic Mascot, Dead". The Los Angeles Times. 12 April 1934. p. 29. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  7. ^ a b c "Athletes Mourn Loss of 'Smokey' Mascot". The San Bernardino County Sun. 15 July 1932. p. 18. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  8. ^ "Smoky Quits Olympic Village: Mascot Settles Down in New Home". The Los Angeles Times. 23 September 1932. p. 36. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  9. ^ "Smoky the Olympic village mascot in 1932, is dead". The Des Moines Register. 20 April 1934. p. 17. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoky_(Olympic_mascot)