Izzy was the official mascot of the Atlanta 1996 Summer Olympics and was initially named Whatizit ("What is it?") at its introduction at the closing ceremony of the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. The animated character with the ability to morph into different forms was a departure from the Olympic convention in that it did not represent a nationally significant animal or human figure.^[1] It was the first computer-generated mascot in Olympic history.^[2]

In 1991, the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG) began a search for a mascot with a competition of twenty design firms as well as suggestions from the general public.^[3] In the end, ACOG received a total of ten submissions. Many of the proposed mascots resembled flames or phoenixes. One was based on a peanut, while another was inspired by one of Zoo Atlanta's gorillas.^[4] The selection, initially named "Whatizit", was designed by John Ryan, senior animation director of Atlanta-based design firm DESIGNefx.^[5][6]

The character was first introduced at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, being depicted in costume by Mark Evans, a cheerleader from the University of North Carolina. The mascot's reveal was received negatively by viewers and members of the ACOG itself. Whatizit's design and name were the subject of widespread criticism for their confusing nature and for not being good representations Atlanta.^[7] The ACOG collaborated with Parade for a poll to rename the character. The most submitted name was "Kirby", but the ACOG chose not to use it as that name was already used by a trademarked mascot. The ACOG instead used the second most popular name, "Izzy".^[7]

ACOG commissioned an animated television special entitled Izzy's Quest For Olympic Gold to promote Izzy and expand his backstory. Produced by Film Roman, the special debuted on Turner Network Television on August 12, 1995.^[8] Izzy also served as the player character in a video game titled Izzy's Quest for the Olympic Rings,^[9] released in 1995 by U.S. Gold for the Super NES and Genesis platforms.^[10] An adventure game entitled Izzy's Adventure was released for PC in 1996.^[11]

Izzy proved quite unpopular among viewers and the media; a range of nicknames appeared in U.S. media outlets, such as "The Sperm in Sneakers."^[12] Busch Gardens Williamsburg, a theme park in Williamsburg, Virginia, named a new Wild Mouse roller coaster after the mascot, but the name has since been changed. A popular joke that circulated in Atlanta around the end of the 1996 games stated that the blue line painted on Peachtree Road (which actually designated the route for the Olympic Marathon) was "Izzy's ass being dragged out of town."^[13]