Call for Beijing 2022 mascot design closes

BEIJING -- The submission phase for the Beijing 2022 mascot design closed on Wednesday, with many rushing to hand in their entries before the deadline.

More than 100 people showed up at the headquarters of the Beijing 2022 Organizing Committee, which is located in western suburb of the capital city, to submit their design proposals on Wednesday. They were from all walks of life, including teachers and students from painting art schools, professional designers as well as middle shcool students.

Organizers launched a worldwide competition in August to design the mascots for the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The proposals will be reviewed by a panel before a total of 10 designs are shortlisted.

The final mascot design will be revealed in the second half of 2019, with the winning designers earning 100,000 yuan (about $14,000).

It is claimed that designs should have a strong visual identity to boost the Games marketing program and products, as well as appeal to fans.

Beijing 2008's mascots were called "Fuwa" and featured five dolls - Beibei, Jingjing, Huanhuan, Yingying and Nini.