U.S. Ski Team reveals new mascot, Brazil unveils Olympic torch design

U.S. Ski Team reveals new mascot, Brazil unveils Olympic torch design

(U.S. Ski and Snowboarding Association)


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PARK CITY — There’s a new member of the U.S. Olympic Ski and Snowboarding team, and he’s arguably the most adorable of the bunch.

The U.S. Ski and Snowboarding Association announced the addition of a new winner to its roster — Champ the puppy. The 5-month-old chocolate lab will serve as the official mascot of the U.S. ski, freeskiing and snowboarding teams as they compete for gold in South Korea in 2018.

Champ comes straight from the Humane Society of Utah, where his former family brought him when they realized they could no longer care for him.

“We are tremendously appreciative of the partnership with USSA. Champ will be an incredible ambassador for the winter sport industry and we couldn’t think of a better 'spokespup' to help promote the ‘Adopt, Don’t Shop’ message,” said Heidi Myers with the Humane Society. “Congrats to Champ and USSA — we can’t think of a more unbeatable team.”

Champ will be hard at work for the next few seasons, training right alongside the athletes as they prepare for the Olympics. He’ll run behind roller-skiing cross-country skiers, biking behind alpine athletes, jumping on trampolines with snowboarders and more, according to USSA.

Fans can meet him face-to-face as he accompanies his teams to U.S. events throughout this winter season.

Champ’s new teammates are thrilled about the canine addition.

“I’m a big supporter of adopting animals,” said silver medalist Gus Kenworthy, who gained attention for rescuing stray dogs in Sochi at the 2014 Olympics. “Champ is the perfect addition to the USSA family.”

Meanwhile, plans for the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics are moving right along. This week, the official torch was revealed, and it’s nothing short of magic. The torch — which will be carried by 12,000 torchbearers through 300 cities leading up to the games — is made from recycled aluminum and resin.

Alex Ferro/Rio 2016

When closed, it measures 25 inches tall, but is designed to expand to just over 27 inches as it is passed — revealing five colored-resin sections that represent the earth, sea, mountains, sky and sun, according to Gizmodo.

The triangular shape of the torch is designed to represent respect, excellence and friendship — the three Olympic values.

The torch was designed by Sao Paulo design studio Chelles & Hayashi.

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Jessica Ivins

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