Smoky (1931 or 1932 – April 1934), occasionally spelled Smokey, was a dog who became the mascot of the 1932 Summer Olympic Village and later the event as a whole.[3] He is often considered the first Olympic mascot.[4]
 Smoky wearing his mascot blanket[1] | |
| Species | Dog |
|---|---|
| Breed | Mongrel |
| Sex | Male |
| Died | April 1934 |
| Cause of death | Vehicular accident |
| Known for | Being the mascot of the 1932 Summer Olympics |
Smoky appeared early on in the construction of the Olympic Village, with some sources claiming he was born on the same day that work on the Village began on 2 January 1932.[5][6][7] He was a small black dog of uncertain ancestry, believed to be a combination of Scottish terrier, bulldog, Australian sheep dog along with other breeds.[8] He became extremely popular with all visiting Olympic delegations, posing with athletes from all nations and was given a blanket on which were pinned medals, pins and badges of many nations.[7][8] During the games, he survived a couple of broken legs.[7] Smoky briefly went missing on 14 July, with it claimed that "noted athletes from all over the world mourn his absence".[8] However, he returned the next day.[6]
After the games Smoky was adopted by Cynthia and Clark Smith and became a family pet.[9][7] In April 1934 he was run over and killed by an unknown speeding motorist.[7][10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ The Games of the Xth Olympiad "Los Angeles 1932", Official Report (PDF). Los Angeles, California: Wolfer Printing Company Inc. 1933. p. 258.
- ^ "As East and West Prepare for Olympic Classic at Los Angeles Next Summer". The Pittsburgh Press. 1 May 1932. p. 25. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
- ^ "Those Loony Olympic Mascots: Smoky, Los Angeles 1932". Time. 13 March 2012.
- ^ "Three Critters Join Salt Lake Effort". The Leaf-Chronicle. 16 May 1999. p. 25. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
- ^ Downing, Sam. "Why the first Olympic mascot was greater than any modern mascot". www.nine.com.au. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
- ^ a b "'Smokey', Mascot of Games City, Returns". The San Francisco Examiner. 16 July 1932. p. 14. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "Smoky, Olympic Mascot, Dead". The Los Angeles Times. 12 April 1934. p. 29. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
- ^ a b c "Athletes Mourn Loss of 'Smokey' Mascot". The San Bernardino County Sun. 15 July 1932. p. 18. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
- ^ "Smoky Quits Olympic Village: Mascot Settles Down in New Home". The Los Angeles Times. 23 September 1932. p. 36. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
- ^ "Smoky the Olympic village mascot in 1932, is dead". The Des Moines Register. 20 April 1934. p. 17. Retrieved 17 August 2023.