Putin wants a snowbording leopard as 2014 Sochi Olympics mascote

A snowboarding leopard has props from Russian premier Vladimir Putin to become the mascote of the 2014 Sochi Olympics, as it was introduced on a proposals shortlist.
Leopard was chosen together with Polar Bear and a white Bunny on Saturday at the conclusion of a much-touted telephone and online vote of more than 1 million people, organizers said, according to Moscow Times.

Apparently, the bear mascot was the favorite of Russian president Dmitry Medvedev.