Chernyshenko: Organizing Committee had the right to select multiple mascots

"We were not original. If you remember, at the Games in Athens were two mascots in Beijing – five in Vancouver – three. Russia is worse than the above listed countries, especially since the top three finalists won an overwhelming majority, "- he told reporters. Leopard, Polar Bear and Bunny became mascots of the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi in 2014 by a vote, which ended on Saturday evening. The results were announced in the program "mascot. Sochi-2014. Final "on Channel One. In the vote could take part every citizen of Russia. In the finals each of the variants of the mascot has been assigned a unique phone number to which members could vote to call or send SMS-message. On Saturday, before it became known that the competition was out Santa Claus. This decision was taken due to the fact that the mascot is the property of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and Santa Claus is a symbol of the New Year in Russia. Then out of the fight knocked Ray and Snowflake, which were chosen mascots of the Paralympic Games and the circle of contenders was reduced to eight options. Three winners won a total of 62% of the vote, while if it was selected one winner, they would become Leopard, received 28% of the vote. For the White bear voted 18% for the Bunny – 16%. Shortly before the announcement of the results presenter Ivan Urgant announced that the total number of votes over a million people.