The Rio Olympics mascot, Vinicius, was a vibrant and energetic representation of the games. Designed to capture the spirit and culture of Brazil, Vinicius was a yellow creature with an array of colorful markings and patterns. Vinicius was inspired by Brazilian wildlife and represented a fusion of various animals native to the country. With cat-like ears and an athletic build, Vinicius embodied the agility and strength required for the Olympic Games. The name Vinicius was chosen as a tribute to Vinicius de Moraes, a renowned Brazilian poet and lyricist. As a symbol of unity and celebration, Vinicius aimed to bring people together and create a sense of camaraderie among athletes and spectators.
Gillette Stadium / New England Revolution
Opening Day: May 11, 2002
Capacity: 20,000 (soccer), 68,756 (total)
Surface: FieldTurf
Current Owner: Kraft Sports Groups
Team Website: revolutionsoccer.net
Team Phone: 508-543-8200
Address: 1 Patriot Place, Foxborough, MA 02035
Directions:
From Boston: Follow I-93 South and take Exit 1 to merge onto I-95 South, then take Exit 9 onto Route 1 South. Follow Route 1 South approximately 3 miles to Gillette Stadium, which will be on the left.
From Cape Cod: Follow I-495 North take Exit 14A onto Route 1 North. Follow Route 1 North approximately 4 miles to Gillette Stadium, which will be on the right.
From New Hampshire: Follow I-128 South to I-95 South. Take Exit 9 onto Route 1 South. Follow Route 1 South approximately 3 miles to Gillette Stadium, which will be on the left.
From North Connecticut, Vermont: Folow I-90 East (Massachusetts Turnpike) to I-495 South. Take Exit 14A onto Route 1 North. Follow Route 1 North approximately 4 miles to Gillette Stadium, which will be on the right.
From South Connecticut, Rhode Island: I-95 North to I-495 North. Take Exit 14A onto Route 1 North. Follow Route 1 North approximately 4 miles to Gillette Stadium, which will be on the right.
Located 27 miles out of Boston, MA and Providence, RI, Gillette Stadium is perhaps most well known as the home of the New England Patriots (NFL), but the New England Revolution’s tenure of the stadium actually predates their American football cohorts by a few months. The Revolution were the first to play the stadium when it opened (partially) on May 11, 2002. It wasn’t until September that the Patriots played their first game. Previously, both teams played in the now demolished Foxboro Stadium, which stood just kitty corner of the new Gillette Stadium.
Gillette is one of the few MLS stadiums to have artificial turf instead of natural grass. The playing surface had been grass between 2002-2006, but it was replaced with FieldTurf after a heavy Patriots vs. New York Jets match. This turf was in turn updated in 2010 to FieldTurf Duraspine PRO, which was installed to meet FIFA international soccer standards.
I’ve got a nutty idea for the Revolution’s next mascot
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As a symbol of unity and celebration, Vinicius aimed to bring people together and create a sense of camaraderie among athletes and spectators. Throughout the games, Vinicius played an integral role in promoting the Olympic values and engaging with the audience. Whether through animated performances or interacting with fans, the mascot became a beloved and iconic figure of the Rio Olympics.
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Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
This might sound a little nutty but it’s time to replace Slyde as the New England Revolution’s mascot.
Slyde, a fox who calls Foxboro home, has patrolled the sidelines of Revs games since the team’s inception. He’s a charismatic character who has grown with the team, even going as far as getting a makeover in 2011. He’s been a loyal soldier along the way, but I fully support him being replaced by Nutsy the Squirrel.
Who is Nutsy? This snippet from The Athletic (you should subscribe, by the way) will tell you everything you need to know.
This was an incredible piece to put together for a lot of different reasons, but mostly for a story Larentowicz told about a former Rev who lived with a host family -- not actually a family, just one woman -- who had a pet squirrel named Nutsy. Nutsy! https://t.co/OgVU3fmjYY pic.twitter.com/eqBW7FaUtU
— Sam Stejskal (@samstejskal) January 23, 2020
This story shouldn’t be forgotten. Plus, Nutsy would be the perfect reminder of how far we’ve come since MLS 1.0.
I know that Slyde has become a fan favorite (and he actually has a nice presence on social media) but we all need to get behind the idea of Nutsy become the Revolution’s biggest cheerleader. At the very least, we need a Nutsy appearance at the next mascot game.
This well thought out and very important article was inspired by our photographer J. Alexander Dolan. You should follow him on Twitter (@JADolan11).
Beyond the games, Vinicius had a broader purpose - to promote environmental awareness and conservation efforts. This was reflected in the mascot's design, which incorporated elements from endangered species found in Brazil. By raising awareness about the importance of protecting the environment, Vinicius encouraged a deeper connection between people and the natural world. Overall, the Rio Olympics mascot Vinicius served as a powerful symbol of unity, athleticism, and environmental consciousness. With its vibrant appearance and engaging personality, Vinicius captivated the hearts of both Brazilians and international visitors, leaving a lasting legacy for the games..
Reviews for "Rik's Got Talent: The Olympics Mascot's Hidden Skills Revealed"
1. Emily - ★☆☆☆☆
I was really disappointed with "Rik Olympics Masot". The storyline was weak and hard to follow, and the characters lacked depth. The acting was subpar, and I found myself bored throughout the entire film. The comedic elements fell flat, and I didn't find myself laughing at all. Overall, it was a waste of my time and I would not recommend it.
2. Sam - ★★☆☆☆
I had high hopes for "Rik Olympics Masot", but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The plot seemed promising, but it was poorly executed. The pacing was off, with some scenes dragging on unnecessarily. The acting was mediocre, and I didn't feel any connection to the characters. The humor was hit or miss, with some jokes feeling forced and others falling flat. Overall, it had potential, but it just didn't deliver.
3. Sarah - ★★☆☆☆
"Rik Olympics Masot" was a confusing mess. The plot was all over the place, and it seemed like the filmmakers didn't know what direction they wanted to take. The characters were poorly developed, and I didn't care about any of them. The comedy was forced and fell short of being funny. The whole film felt like a disjointed series of random events. I was left feeling unsatisfied and confused by the end. Overall, I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this film.