'Who Will Live in this House?'

I cold really use a light-hearted story today, so let's talk about the exciting world of Olympic mascots.  For those of you who can't handle stories over 500 words, I will now quote the entire ESPN story about the topic: 

MOSCOW -- The organizers of the 2014 Sochi Olympics have put forward an array of 13 cartoon candidates to become the games' mascot, including two bears, a bunny and a snow leopard.
The victors -- one for the Olympics and one for the Paralympics -- are to be revealed Feb. 26 after a public vote.
The characters were introduced to the nation Monday on state-run Channel One television.
They include traditional figures such as a polar bear and a brown bear, as well some seemingly longshot ideas such as a bullfinch and a dolphin who uses his flippers to throw a curling stone.
Also in the running are a gaggle of sports-loving matryoshkas, or Russian nesting dolls, and Ded Moroz, the Russian equivalent of Santa Claus.

Not only that but, in the upset of the year, the potential mascots have their own website here.  I'm a big fan of the matryoshka that is also, apparently, a curling enthusiast.  Anything for curling I say.  Regardless, on the 26th of February, the winners will be decided by a nation-wide SMS vote.  So, who's it gonna be?

Not to beat the environment theme into the ground, but the smart money is on the leopard.  Why, you ask?  Well, google 'Putin snow leopard' and sneak a peek at the patron saint of leopards.  Apparently (I can't find the link now), as part of the environment PR attack, Putin and Russia are overseeing the reintroduction of some Persian leopards into their natural habitat somewhere around Sochi. 

So, there you have it.  You can, of course, always peruse the creepy history of Olympic mascots here, but only if you'd like to have your dreams haunted by asexual bears. 

Remember, two of these mascots will be selected; one for the Olympics and one for the Paralympics.  Of course, if I know Russia, the leopard will be chosen for the Olympics and the Paralympics' mascot will be a leopard on crutches.  Or a leopard missing a leg.  Ah, jokes.