Olympic Mascot To Pass The Torch

Nagano, Japan (NBp) - In keeping with Olympic tradition, Pukki -- the sole remaining "Snowlet" (Mascot of the Nagano winter Olympic games) -- set sail today from the coast of Japan enroute to Australia. Upon arrival, the Winter Olympic Games mascot will pass the mantle to Olly, the representative mascot for the Summer Games to be held in 2000 AD.

Due to budget considerations, the originally planned air transportation was changed at the last minute to a used rowboat. Sufficient water and food and 2 oars were provided for a 1 month journey. Pacific Rim nautical authorities have questioned the feasibility of traversing 4867 nautical miles by rowboat within one month, but organizers have given assurances that Pukki is adequately prepared, per official guidelines issued by the Committee.

Pukki has been instructed to keep heading south, employ the Olympic message of peace for protection should he encounter any of the notoriously barbaric pirates in the Straits of Malacca, use leftover banners as protection against El Nino Pacific typhoons and patch his leaky dinghy with official Olympic pins.

The other Snowlets not joining Pukki on this historic journey were quietly honored for their service to the Games in a ceremony last Spring, and summarily put to sleep.