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. [2] He is often considered the first Olympic mascot. [3]
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. [4] [5] [6] 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. He became extremely popular with all visiting Olympic delegations. [7] He survived a couple of broken legs. He posed with athletes from all nations and was given a blanket on which were pinned medals, pins and badges of many nations. [6] Smoky briefly went missing on 14 July, with it claimed that "noted athletes from all over the world mourn his absence". [7] However, he returned the next day. [5]
After the games Smoky was adopted by Cynthia and Clark Smith and became a family pet. [8] [6] In April 1934 he was run over and killed by an unknown speeding motorist. [6] [9]
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. [2] He is often considered the first Olympic mascot. [3]
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. [4] [5] [6] 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. He became extremely popular with all visiting Olympic delegations. [7] He survived a couple of broken legs. He posed with athletes from all nations and was given a blanket on which were pinned medals, pins and badges of many nations. [6] Smoky briefly went missing on 14 July, with it claimed that "noted athletes from all over the world mourn his absence". [7] However, he returned the next day. [5]
After the games Smoky was adopted by Cynthia and Clark Smith and became a family pet. [8] [6] In April 1934 he was run over and killed by an unknown speeding motorist. [6] [9]