Russian Santa could be next Winter Olympic mascot

According to a poll conducted by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (WCIOM) Ded Moroz could be the preferred mascot for the upcoming 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi.

Those who were interviewed by WCIOM said that Ded Moroz, Russia’s version of Santa Claus, projects positive emotions and is the best figure to represent the festive spirit of the Games. According to these criteria Ded Moroz earned 18 and 28 per cent respectively. Following Ded Moroz with the next best results are the Dolphin and the Brown Bear.The same standings go for the third question: “Reflecting the culture of the host country”. Ded Moroz earned 24 per cent for this criterion, with Dolphin and Brown Bear sharing a total of 16 per cent. The same three mascots are also at the top of the polls as symbols with the ‘most potential for advertising and promotion”.The poll was taken on February 5-6, 2011, in 138 cities across Russia. 1,600 people participated in the survey.