Feifei, a ‘Divine Bird,’ will be the mascot for the 4th Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China. The design was inspired by the motif of the ‘Divine Bird’ that brings bliss, and is a messenger of joy and cultural distinction.
The first ‘fei’ means the birds flying, implying inclusiveness, respect, and fraternity of human society. And the second ‘fei’ represents the mental tenacity of the athletes with disabilities pursuing dreams and reaching beyond themselves.
Extending from her wings to her cheeks is the quintessential pattern of the Liangzhu Culture, with the raised wings showing their dynamic beauty. The letter ‘i’ on her crown stands for intelligence and also represents Hangzhou as the ‘City of the Internet’, which blinks blue when she is happy or playing sports. The ring, comprising 45 dots, on her chest is symbolic of the joyful gathering of all Asian Paralympic Committee members.
“The mascot helps to bring the Games to life for everyone, from the athletes to the spectators. It’s important therefore that the mascot is attractive and appealing – and ‘Feifei’ is certainly both of those! It is the messenger of sportsmanship, an envoy of culture and a symbol of friendship. These are all very important aspects of the Asian Para Games and we are pleased that they have been incorporated into the mascot’s design.” said Asian Paralympic Committee President Majid Rashed.
The 2020 Asian Para Games will take place from 9-15 October 2022 in Hangzhou. An estimated 3000 athletes will take part in 22 sports, with one of the sports being wheelchair basketball.
