The Olympics are coming back to Australia for the first time since the Sydney 2000 extravaganza! While they’re not due here until 2032, one Aussie already has an idea about what our mascot should be.
Owen Kelly started a petition to have Aussie character Bluey as the mascot of the 2032 Olympic Games. Bluey has become beloved by kids (and grownups) all over the world thanks to it’s relatability with people everywhere.
Bluey – the Aussie icon recognised worldwide
Break From Tradition
Normally, the hosting city creates their own mascots for the Olympics. Sydney created Syd, Ollie and Millie and Lizzie for the Paralympics.
Kelly thinks we should break from this tradition and use a well-known character for the mascot.
The petition says: “Bluey is a beloved Australian children’s television character that originated in Brisbane. As a recognizable local figure, Bluey can effectively symbolize Brisbane’s culture and spirit.”
Kelly thinks the global recognition of both Bluey and the Olympics could attract a larger international audience.
“Having a locally created character as the mascot can boost local pride and engagement, encouraging community involvement and support for the Games,” he added.
Kelly listed his reasons for wanting Bluey and they do make sense. Bluey is a global icon, it’s family-friendly, educational, the merchandise opportunities are endless and it has authentic and positive cultural representation for Australia.
What is Bluey?
Bluey is an animated tv show about a blue heeler with a ton of energy and imagination, the hilarious adventures she goes on with her sister, Bingo, and the community they live in.
The show premiered in 2018 and has become a worldwide cultural phenomenon. In 2023, Bluey was the second most popular streaming show in the US.
Why Is Bluey So Popular?
My theory is Bluey is so popular because of its simplicity. It’s an every day family getting into every day hijinks. Bandit and Chilli’s gentle parenting of their precocious pups reflects the current trend in parenting style.
It’s both nostalgic and healing for adults whether they had good or bad childhoods. It’s breaks from the stereotype of Homer Simpson’s and Daddy Pig’s with Bandit being an involved parent.
It isn’t afraid to show parents aren’t perfect and trusts it’s audience to understand this message.
Australia responds with an outpouring of support
The story and petition appeared on The Project’s Facebook page and garnered over three thousand comments.
One person said: “I live in Utah in the US please please have Bluey the mascot. We love Bluey in our house.”
One person said they voted for the bin chicken. (I’m not sure that would translate internationally. A lot of places don’t get Aussie humour.)
A lot of people in other countries said they would vote yes for this.
As of writing this, the petition has over 5000 signatures. Their reasons for signing vary.
One person said: “I think the show Bluey attracts a lot of knowledge about Australian life and our culture, Bluey as a mascot for the Olympics would attract more people to come to Australia to watch the Olympics, that in turn would greatly help the tourism industry. Children watching the Olympics because Bluey is a mascot may become inspired to participate in sports that they may never try. Lastly Bluey Rocks!”
Another wrote: “I’m here in Scotland, signing a petition for a mascot for an Australian Olympics – how much more global and on-message for the Games can we get than Bluey?”
“What a fabulous idea. Bluey (and family) are great role models, and everyone worldwide loves them,” another said.
It’s been a long time since a TV show has captured the minds and hearts of people all over the world.
What do you think? Should we go with a trusted Australian figure, or should we create a new mascot like we have in the past?
