RIO DE JANEIRO - A bright yellow cat-like figure, which also combines elements of monkeys and birds, is the mascot of the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.The smiley-faced mascot represents the animal life of Brazil. The mascot for the Paralympics is a mopped-headed doll with leafy hair, meant to represent the vast diversity of the flora in Brazil.The mascots made their first official appearance on Monday at a school in the Santa Teresa neighbourhood, which is a mix of precarious slums and homes for millionaires. The school is named for former International Olympic Committee President Juan Antonio Samaranch.Their purpose is to delight and engage the audience, particularly the children, Carlos Nuzman, head of the Rio organizing committee, said of the mascots. In addition, the mascots will always be remembered by the people.A public poll will be conducted to name the two from a shortlist of possibilities. The possibilities for the Olympic mascot are: Oba, Tiba Tuque and Vinicius The choice for the Paralympic mascots are: Eba, Esquindim and Tom. They must be voted on in pairs: Oba and Eba, Tiba Tuque and Esquindim, and Vinicius and Tom.Votes for the names can be cast on the organizing committees website and Twitter feed. The winning names will be announced on Dec. 14.The cuddly, cartoon-like mascots are also big business.Organizers hope that Olympic merchandise, much of it carrying the mascot logo, will generate sales of 1 billion reals ($400 million). The organizing committee will receive about 15-20 per cent of the sales of branded merchandise, with the rest going to licensed manufacturers and vendors.Income from merchandising makes up a chunk of the $3 billion operating budget. Half of that budget is to come from the sale of local sponsorships.The Olympic merchandising campaign will comprise about 12,000 products aimed mostly at children. About 90 per cent of sales are expected from the domestic market.Our mascots represent the diversity of our people, our way of life and our natural environment, said Beth Lula, the organizing committees brand director.Olympic officials expect the mascot to represent 25 per cent of merchandising sales.The mascot for this years World Cup in Brazil — an armadillo named Fuleco — generated little interest. Some blamed this on pre-World Cup protests, and repeated delays and distractions in preparing venues.In addition to the operating budget, Rio is spending about $20 billion in a mix of private and public money to prepare sports venues and urban infrastructure. Brazil spent about $15 billion on the World Cup.___On the Web: www.rio2016.com/mascotesTwitter: @Rio2016.__Stephen Wade on Twitter: http://twitter.com/StephenWadeAP Terrelle Pryor Sr. Jersey . In a matchup of teams battling head-to-head for the final playoff spot in Major League Soccers Western Conference, the Whitecaps run to the post-season took a hard hit when FC Dallas blew open a tie game with two goals in the final minutes for a 3-1 victory Saturday night. Eric Tomlinson Jersey .5 million. The 25-year-old Varlamov is thriving under first-year coach and Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy, posting a 26-9-5 record with a 2. http://www.officialnewyorkjetsfootball.c...g-jersey-womens. Auld made 37 saves in a 5-3 loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday. It was Ottawas first game without starter Anderson, who is out indefinitely after cutting his hand Wednesday night, and it was evident the team wasnt sure how to deal with the change in goal. Rashard Robinson Jersey .com) - The Golden State Warriors have started another winning streak and theyll try to pad it Tuesday night when they head to Staples Center to face the Los Angeles Lakers. Jermaine Kearse Jersey . - Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II says the NFL has told the team it will not be docked a pick in this years draft for coach Mike Tomlins foray onto the field against Baltimore last November.TARUNGA, New Zealand -- Canadas womens rugby team kicked off its tour of New Zealand with a 22-0 victory over Australia on Friday. The Canadians dominated the match, establishing a 5-0 lead in the first half. Andrea Burks penalty kick added to Canadas lead early in the second half, making it 8-0. Magali Harveys conversion made it 15-0 after Canadas forwardds pushed the ball over the goal-line with an Australian in the sin bin.dddddddddddd Captain Kelly Russell scored Canadas final try on passes from Julianne Zussman and Emily Belchos. Belchos earned her first international cap for Canada, subbing in during the second half. Canadas next match will be June 10 against New Zealands Black Ferns. Blackhawks Jerseys Store Cheap Wild Jerseys Cheap Red Wings Jerseys Cheap Maple Leafs Jerseys Penguins Jerseys Store Capitals Jerseys For Sale Blues Jerseys Store Cheap Kings Jerseys Adidas Lightning Jerseys Stars Jerseys For Sale Cheap Predators Jerseys Ducks Store Sharks Jerseys For Sale Cheap Sabres Jerseys Rangers Jerseys For Sale ' ' '