Feb 27, 2011 16:00
Feb. 25: leading pollster shows Russians favor Ded Moroz, the Dolphin and the Bear for the Sochi Olympic mascot. Leopard is the LEAST favored, according to VTSIOM
Feb. 26, 12:54 p.m. Vladimir Putin says he likes the leopard. But of course, people should choose “not based on my opinion.”
Feb. 26, 23:24 p.m. Channel One announces three mascots, with the Leopard in the lead.
And the funny thing is, they don't really have to "rig" any of this.
It's all about "his master's voice."