Miga the sea bear, Quatchi the Sasquatch, and Sumi the thunderbird were only unveiled last week by the Vancouver Organising Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (Vanoc), but the mythical trio is on store shelves everywhere and on the minds of covetous children.

Ms Roberts has no doubt her niece and nephew will love to get their hands on the toys this Christmas, but she isn't sure who will get which.

'I'm really torn,' said Ms Roberts, a communications analyst in Vancouver. 'I love them and may end up keeping one or both or all three of them for myself.'

She said her attraction to Miga, Quatchi and Sumi was at least partly inspired by memories of growing up in Calgary, which hosted the Games in 1988 and came up with the mascots Hidy and Howdy, a pair of Stetson-wearing polar bears. Alas, she didn't remember the much-derided Amik, the beaver mascot of the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

But while there was no mistaking the Canadian identity of Amik 30 years ago, many observers say the three mascots for the 2010 Games are distinctly Asian-looking, despite tracing their origins to First Nations' culture and myth. Many note the strong resemblance to Japanese anime characters and Pokemon. The snide comparisons to Hello Kitty didn't take long to appear. One newspaper called the flat-faced, dot-eyed trio creepy.

Adults may be critical, but by keeping the mascots a secret until the unveiling, Vanoc generated near mania among children, its real target audience. The committee, which has been trumped in the past with leaks to the media of its logo and key appointments, learned its lesson this time and kept the three stars under wraps until a tightly scripted live show on a concert stage.

Hundreds of schoolchildren were bused in to get the first glimpse of the creatures, and screamed and applauded on cue. The unveiling was, in the words of fan Jessica Bulteel, 10, 'the greatest thing that's ever happened to me.' Well, besides Disneyland, she added.

Committee chief executive John Furlong said it was important that the mascots be a surprise so that the unveiling would be like Christmas morning and generate a look of joy in children's eyes. 'This is about children and making them happy.'

Among the throngs of happy children were reporters covering the event. One killjoy bellowed out that he was looking for someone to interview who hated the mascots. Olympic organisers waited anxiously for a few seconds to see if anyone would talk - then sighed with relief when no one stepped forward.

But among adults, Ms Roberts seems to be in the minority. The overwhelming bulk of residents polled by the media have rejected the mascots. Criticisms ranged from 'too comical' to 'not Canadian enough'.

One of the few positives observed about the creatures is that there's only one of each - and that means they're unlikely to breed. Not that breeding would be a bad thing for the 'fourth mascot', Mukmuk, the one critter based on a real animal, Canada's most endangered species, the Vancouver Island marmot.

Mukmuk has only sidekick status, and exists as an online friend for the three main attractions. But chances are that if the clamour is there, Mukmuk too will emerge as a real stuffed toy.

That would mean more money for the Games. Organisers hope sales will bring the organisers C$46 million (HK$358.36 million) in royalties. Let the Games begin.