Yuta Kawakami, the designer at today's press conference launch with sprinter Shingo Suetsugu (© c)
The Local Organising Committee for 11th IAAF World Championships in Athletics, Osaka, Japan (25 August to 2 September 2007), today held a press conference at Osaka City Hall to unveil its mascot.
The name of the mascot is "Traffie" which comes from the combination of "Track and Field", two of the fundamental words associated with the World Championships. It is modelled on a flame, and represents the soul and enthusiasm to win of all the athletes participating in Osaka 2007.
The designer of this mascot is Yuta Kawakami from Osaka, who studies in the post-graduate degree Department of Character Creative Arts, Osaka University of Arts under Kazuo Koike's leadership, who is Professor and Chairman of the Department. Kazuo Koike is also a notable "Manga" creator.
On behalf of the IAAF, President Lamine Diack sent congratulations expressing that the mascot will help to convey the emotions, vibrancy and magic of track and field and increase the public's familiarity with the competition, particularly among the young. He hopes that "Traffie" will encourage as many children as possible to come to the stadium to watch the event.
Yohei Kouno, President of Local Organising Committee for Osaka 2007, believed the mascot will be widely recognised and cherished especially by the children of the city, and expects that in the future, when talking of Osaka 2007, "Traffie" will be remembered.
Eiko Tamaru - Osaka 2007 LOC
