The summer of 1980 became a landmark for the USSR and many of its cities. After all, it was at this time that the XXII Summer Olympic Games were held in the Soviet Union. This Olympics became famous for the fact that more than 50 countries refused to take part in it. This was due to the introduction of Soviet troops into the territory of Afghanistan. Despite this, some athletes from the countries that boycotted the games nevertheless came to the capital of the USSR and took part in the games.
The Olympic bear has become the symbol of the Olympics in Moscow. The author of this character is Viktor Chizhikov, an illustrator of children's books. The author affectionately nicknamed the bear cub Mishka Mikhail Potapych Toptygin. This character to this day remains one of the most beloved heroes in Russia and far beyond its borders. The Committee for the organization of the Olympics in Moscow chose this animal as a mascot, because. the bear had such qualities as perseverance, strength, endurance and courage, which are inherent in any athlete.
The Organizing Committee of the Olympics received more than 40 thousand drawings depicting bears. But it took a very long time to choose the right option. After all, not just an ordinary aggressive bear was expected from artists, but an affectionate and kind animal, able at the same time to fend for itself. It was such a young animal that the bear becameOlympic.
Viktor Chizhikov portrayed his Potapych with a smile on his face, with kind eyes. And the employees of the Moscow Zoo even determined the age of the bear cub - only 3 months old.
The Olympic bear was not only the favorite of the participants of the Olympiad, but also received national recognition from the fans. The creator of the sports symbol said that he was sent letters from Toptygin fans from all over the world. So, for example, Chizhikov corresponded for 5 years with Polish schoolchildren from the city of Swidwen. He sent the guys a lot of souvenirs and gifts, among which was the Olympic bear: photos with his images, badges and books.
For the emblem of the Olympics, the children's illustrator was supposed to receive a huge amount of money, but, having come to the Organizing Committee for a well-deserved reward, he received only 250 rubles. The world-famous six-meter Olympic bear was created in the city of Zagorsk, at the Scientific Research Institute of the Rubber Industry. First, rubberized fabric was made, then gluers glued together the figure of Toptygin in two copies.
But it was the easiest task. It was more difficult to teach the clubfoot to fly. As planned, the bear was supposed to rise into the air above the upper stands by 3.5 m and leave the Olympic stadium. Because of the shape of the bear, this turned out to be very difficult, but possible. After a lot of trials to lift the figure into the air, it was decided to attach balloons filled with helium to the ears and upper paws of the hero.
Olympicthe bear became a talisman and a symbol of the 1980 games due to its charm, good nature and beauty. Especially the participants and spectators of the Sports Olympiad remembered its closing, which took place on August 3, 1980 at the Luzhniki Stadium. It was on this day that the figure of the clubfoot was launched in balloons into the blue metropolitan sky to the song of Nikolai Dobronravov and Alexandra Pakhmutova “Goodbye, our affectionate Misha.”
