This has been launched on line through the Alibaba Tmall portal.

The mascot remains elusive in town with buyers restricted to one item and key fobs, globe ornaments are amongst the items on sale but officials have given assurances that more plush mascots will be in the shops when production resumes at full capacity after the New Year holiday.

"At present, we have initiated limited purchasing policies across official online and offline stores, in order to let more consumers get what they want," said Beijing 2022 marketing official Guo Lei.

Although it is rumoured that even International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach is yet to lay his hands on a Bing Dwen Dwen, the medallists in each event receive a special edition.

"All medallists receive the same mascot," Beijing 2022 culture deputy director Gao Tian said.

"This has been specially customised for them and is not available to buy,"

The special edition Bing Dwen Dwen incorporates the winners wreath or Cotinos, the design based on the crown of olive and laurel wreaths that were presented to champions in the past.

"The design is based on the Olympic tradition of the laurel and olive and we added Chinese plants to add our culture to the gift." Gao said.

"Bing Dwen Dwen is really cute so we are pleased it is surrounded by this crown.

"It is like a ring so it can symbolise how united we are and represents togetherness."