What was the official mascot of the 2018 Winter Olympics?

Soohorang was the official mascot of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. The character was designed as a white tiger, an animal strongly associated with Korean culture and traditionally regarded as a guardian.

The name combines Korean words: “sooho,” meaning protection, and “rang,” a syllable linked to “ho-rang-i,” the Korean word for tiger. The name expressed the idea of protecting athletes, participants and spectators while also reflecting the peaceful spirit of the Olympic Games.

Soohorang was selected through a national mascot competition launched in 2014. The International Olympic Committee approved the Olympic and Paralympic mascots on 2 June 2016. Soohorang represented the Olympics, while Bandabi, an Asiatic black bear, represented the 2018 Winter Paralympics.

A frequent mix-up is confusing Soohorang with Bing Dwen Dwen, the panda mascot of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Miga was associated with the 2010 Vancouver Games, while Sumi was one of Vancouver's Paralympic mascots.