Bright yellow and cat-like, with a green leaf-haired brother, the mascots for the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro have been launched.

The mascots, who are said to represent the animals and plants of Brazil, are a key part of the Olympics merchandising campaign which is set to feature 12,000 products, with organisers hoping to raise one billion reais (€320 million) in retail sales.

The fictional backstory of the characters states they were born out of the joy of the Brazilian people at having been awarded the games.

A public poll will be held to decide their names from a shortlist of Oba and Eba; Tiba Tuque and Esquindim; and Vinicius and Tom.

Organisers are hoping the mascots help engage younger audiences in the Olympics, with a television series starring the mascots planned to run on Brazilian television one year before the games.

“We are close to signing a partnership to produce a TV show,” Sylmara Multini, head of licensing for Rio 2016, told Reuters, adding they would also be developing apps and games with the mascots.

“The crucial thing is to turn the mascots into characters.”