1. Sento-kun, Japan
Half-deer, half-buddha, Sento-kun was designed to celebrate the 1,300th anniversary of Japan's ancient capital being relocated to Nara. Judging by this picture, I'm not sure what sort of celebration he had in mind.
2. Testicular Cancer Awareness mascot, Brazil
Better known as 'Mr Balls,' this mascot was devised by the Associacao de Assistencia as Pessoas com Cancer to raise awareness of testicular cancer. It's unclear whether he was modelled on the 'before' or 'after' shot.
3. Pluto-kun, Japan
Designed to put a cuddly face on nuclear energy, Pluto-kun has fallen out of favour of late. His public service videos encouraging kids to drink glasses of plutonium couldn't have helped his cause.
4. Waldi the Dachshund, Germany
Designed to represent the 1972 summer games in Munich, Waldi is widely recognised as the first real Olympic mascot. As such he is directly responsible for all Olympic mascots since and should have been mercifully put down.
5. Spartacat, Canada
Spartacat is the official mascot of the Ottowa Senators – an ice hockey team, not members of parliament – and needs to do something about his lank, listless mane. Come on Spartacat, you know you're worth it.
6. Neve and Gliz, Italy
Neve and Gliz were the official mascots for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. They were a snowball and ice cube, in case you were wondering.
7. Appy, Finland
Appy was supposed to represent technology and design at the 2012 European Athletics Championships. French athlete Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad was not impressed. Moments after completing the 3000-metre steeplechase, he took out Appy with a quick shove to the chest.
