2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics Selects White Tiger As Mascot

A white tiger has been selected as the mascot for the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea. The animal is known as a mythological guardian in the nation's folklore and will be the mascot for Korea's first Winter Olympics. 

The announcement came through the PyeongChang Organizing Committee on Thursday after a presentation to the International Olympic Committee Executive Board in Switzerland. The white tiger is named "Soohorang."

The organizing committee made a comment that the shape of the white tiger is similar to the shape of the Korean Peninsula. The white color is appropriate for the winter games since it is like snow.

"'Sooho' is the Korean word for 'protection,' meaning that it protects the athletes, spectators and all participants of the Olympic Games," the POCOG's English-language statement said.

"'Rang' comes from the middle letter of 'ho-rang-i,' which means 'tiger,' and also from the last letter of 'Jeongseon Arirang,' a traditional folk music of Gangwon Province, where the host city is located."

"[The white tiger] is a beautiful animal, strongly associated with Korean culture," she said. "It also symbolizes the close link between the Olympic Winter Games and the natural environment," Gunilla Lindberg, of the IOC's Coordination Commission on PyeongChang, stated.