THE MASCOT: AMIK

    A beaver was born on the 25 th of September in 1974. This wasn't just any beaver, it was the official mascot of the upcoming Olympic Games of Montreal, announced and introducted to the world. Its name, Amik, was chosen by a public contest. 

   

   A Canadian national symbol chosen for its industriousness and patience, the minimalist mascot was a product of Montreal's overall design concept, which was created by the Graphics and Design Directorate, a committee made up of prominent  Canadian graphic artists of the time. The designers credited with the mascot's birth were Yvon Laroche, Pierre-Yves Pelletier, Guy St-Arnaud and George Huel.

  That winning name, "Amik", means "beaver" in an Algonquin language (which is, in the terms of the Official Report of 1976, "the most windespread among the Amerindians of Canada". It was notably used when natives attemped to communicate with canada's white settlers.

  The mascot was usually seen either wearing the read sash that accompained the Olympic Games of Montreal's medals, and occasionally a rainbow sahs. Speaking of colors,small plastic Amiks were produced in many different hues (including an alternate black one with a grey sash).

AFTER AMIK, OLYMPIC MASCOTS WOULD NEVER BE THE SAME!