The contest to design the mascot will begin on January 7 and close on March 8, 2013, with thousands of submissions expected from across Canada.

Entrants are to team up to come up with a mascot idea because only group submissions will be accepted in keeping with the spirit of the Games.

Groups must include at least two members and up to a maximum of six.

Once the deadline for submissions has closed, creators of the top six designs will then be invited to work with an illustrator to polish their ideas.

Finally, the public will vote on the best design.

"Help tell the unique story of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games by creating the mascot and its story that will now and forever be associated with the 'People's Games'," said a Toronto 2015 statement.

"The mascot will be an important personality both leading up to and during the Games and will be used by Toronto 2015 to welcome visitors and spectators, visit schools and community events and appear on signage, advertising and merchandise.

"The mascot will represent the best of us all, our Games and our nation."


The key role of the mascot will be to engage and capture the imagination of the public, in particular children, and to be used easily by the Organising Committee, sponsors, schools and other stakeholders at awareness, media and engagement events.

Entrants will be asked to submit their designs, which should be drawn by hand, by uploading it online on the Toronto 2015 website or sending it in by mail.

For more details or information on how to take part click here. 

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]