2002 Winter Olympics banner

Description:	The mascots of the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics represented the land and culture of Utah and the American West. Inspired by images from ancient petroglyphs, Powder the Hare, Coal the Bear and Copper the Coyote were chosen as ideal icons for the 2002 Games. Ancient Native American legend tells the story of each animal and how it contributed to history and to the creation of the world. These characteristics relayed in traditional lore also correspond to the Olympic motto Citius, Altius, Fortius: Faster, Higher, Stronger. Powder the Hare symbolizes swiftness, Copper the Coyote represents height, and Coal the Bear signifies strength. Each mascot wears a charm around its neck fashioned after the original Anasazi or Fremont-style petroglyph to remind the hare, coyote and bear of their heritage. The traditional story of Snowshoe Hare (Swifter): At one time, the sun was burning up the earth. The hare ran swiftly to the top of the mountain. Shooting her arrow at the sun, she dropped it lower in the sky and cooled the land. The traditional story of Coyote (higher): When the world turned dark and frozen, the coyote climbed the highest mountaintop and stole the flame from the fire people. He brought warmth back to the earth. The traditional story of American black bear (stronger): Long ago brave hunters left their villages to track the mighty bear. But, the bear was too strong and outlasted the hunters. Today, sons of the hunters continue the chase in the night sky.
Source:	http://www.digitalindy.org/cdm/ref/collection/tcm/id/496
Collection:	The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
Rights:	https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/;
Copyright:	Creative Commons (CC By-SA 3.0);
Subjects:	Olympics Utah Salt Lake City (Utah) Winter Olympic Games (19th : 2002 : Salt Lake City, Utah)

Further information on this record can be found at its source.