The mascots for the Olympic Games were selected after a contest that was first held across the whole of Russia, then internationally. Some 24,048 drawings were received in total. Ten proposals were chosen by a jury of experts for the second phase of the contest. Professional designers then worked on them to reveal their final shape. The final decision was taken in a vote by the Russian public as part of a TV programme entitled “Talismaniya Sochi 2014 - The Final” on 26 February 2011. There are three mascots in a nod to the three places on the Olympic podium.