The story behind the mascots

The European Games Kraków-Małopolska 2023 Organising Committee opted to launch a competition for young people between five and 15 across the continent to design their official mascot.

Prizes up for grabs for the winner included VIP tickets for them and four family members to both the Opening and Closing Ceremony, as well as a package of official merchandise and a personalised mascot.

The first 100 children to submit their designs were also sent official merchandise.

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The winning mascots

There were 2,409 entries for the competition and the Organising Committee selected three to be shortlisted before a public vote in October 2022.

The green dragon "Krakusek", designed by 15-year-old Katarzyna Biśta, won a popular vote on Facebook in front of a salamander and a lynx.

A dragon is considered to be one of the symbols of Kraków and legend has it that one lived under the city's Wawel Royal Castle.

Given that the motto of the Games is "We Are Unity", the Organising Committee President Marcin Nowak then announced that the dragon needed company.

Nowak said: "I've participated in lots of sporting events which had two, or even three, mascots, and it worked perfectly.

"The mascots can interact and I think the more of them, the more likely they are to connect with an audience."

The Organising Committee also liked "Sandra" the salamander, designed by 10-year-old Gloria Goryl, and with salamanders native to the south of Poland, that was also adopted.

It is hoped that the dragon and the salamander will "unite the worlds of mythology and reality" and will bring people from different backgrounds together in a similar way to sport.

Both designs are being developed by graphic designers to become a prominent presence in the build-up to and during the European Games.

Katarzyna Biśta and Gloria Goryl will receive VIP tickets to the Kraków-Małopolska 2023 Opening and Closing Ceremonies, European Games merchandise and a personalised mascot as a reward.