Australia’s Olympic Team mascot – ‘BK’ the Boxing Kangaroo

THE London 2012 mascot for the Australian Olympic Team is, once again, ‘BK’ the Boxing Kangaroo. Instantly recognisable almost anywhere in the world, BK will be spurring the Australian Olympic athletes on to glory this summer in London.

The ‘Boxing Kangaroo’ has had a long and distinguished place in Australia’s history – but rose to particular prominence in 1983 when the Australia II sailing team won the America’s Cup. The victorious Aussie crew raised the Boxing Kangaroo as their sporting battle flag – a distinct and patriotic image of a red-gloved golden kangaroo on a green background.  The image and copyright was owned by Alan Bond (owner of the Australia II yacht) who then licensed it for mass production.

The Australian Olympic Committee bought the rights to the Boxing Kangaroo image during the late 1980s and members of the Australian Olympic Team carried a Boxing Kangaroo toy at the Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

“This famous Aussie icon, known affectionately as ‘BK’, has become synonymous with Australia’s proud sporting heritage and as such has become arguably Australia’s favourite supporter mascot,” reads the Australian Olympic Team’s official website. “The BK flag represents a powerful green and gold visual that symbolises Australia’s confident approach to sport.”

But BK is now more than just an image and a flag – he embodies the larrikin Aussie characteristics that make our sporting heroes renowned throughout the world.

“He has a huge amount of self-confidence and epitomises the Australian fighting spirit. This unrelenting ‘have a go’ Aussie spirit makes him hugely popular with all Australians,” the AOC London 2012 website continues.

“But BK is not a lout, nor is he aggressive or arrogant. He is, however, assertive when it comes to defending his country’s glory. BK will be in London for the 2012 Olympics supporting the Team and keeping an eye out for the Team GB mascot (lion) ‘Pride’.”

Already BK has been out and about in London, exploring the Olympic Village as well as the famous sights of the English capital. And he’s already shown Pride who is boss of the Olympic mascot kingdom.

Check out our photo gallery of BK in London

However BK the Boxing Kangaroo is not aligned to any particular sport and, although he has been adopted as the official mascot for the Australian Olympic Team, BK can be seen at any sporting event, and many cultural ones, where Australia is participating.

“The Boxing Kangaroo is a unique and powerfully emotive symbol with broad appeal to Australians and tourists alike. BK is also a great symbol for the younger generation as he represents the positive values and virtues of sport: aspiration, positive attitude, sportsmanship, pride, individual responsibility, respect and expression. These same qualities are what drive Australia’s pursuit of success on the international sporting stage.”

To find out more about BK – head to London2012.Olympics.com.au

BK images from Twitter (@AUSOlympicTeam)