©IOC Jean-Jacques Strahm

Human mascots were created for the Lillehammer 1994 Olympic Games : they were Haakon and Kristin, two children from Norwegian folklore. These characters wore typical costumes from the Middle Ages, with the aim of making reference to two important figures in Norwegian history: King Haakon IV Haakonsson (who reigned from 1217 to 1264) and his aunt, Kristin, the daughter of King Sverre. However, these mascots were also very much rooted in the modern world: they were intrepid and full of life, and sport was part of their daily lives. Thus, Haakon and Kristin symbolise both the Olympic spirit and the traditions of Lillehammer and Norway.