Group's name now Pinyin, not English
The five mascots for the 2008 Beijing Olympics unveiled in November have failed their first test - the language test.
Organisers for the Olympic Games will change the collective name of the mascots, which were known in English as 'friendlies', back to their Pinyin variant fuwa following a less than friendly reaction from the public. The move could mean millions of yuan spent replacing souvenirs of the mascots.
An official from Bocog's Media and Communications Department, Zhang Chenggang , said the new name was 'a more accurate translation of its Chinese equivalent', which is intended to mean cuddly toddlers embodying blessings.
The Beijing Organising Committee for the Games of the 29th Olympiad (Bocog) is believed to have made the decision a couple of weeks ago, but it could only be confirmed yesterday.
Mr Zhang did not elaborate on the reasons behind the decision, but it is thought that it was taken after the name had a poor reception on the mainland.
