I know all of this, because I own a copy of the national bestselling children's book that introduced the characters to the world two years ago. I also know that if any of this multiple-character madness was motivated by greed, it had its preset limits. If not for one journalist, thousands of children and general community outcry, the Vancouver organizers would have muzzled the greatest mascot in the history of the Winter Games.

The first section of the book concerns introductions, character development, and the assembling of the team. But the key action of the story is set into motion by a "funny little marmot" who appears suddenly with an envelope. An invitation! Quatchi, Miga and Sumi are summoned to Vancouver, where all the skyscrapers are green and have happy faces on them. There, our heroes receive a surprise. They've been selected to be the mascots for the 2010 Winter Games! And they can't wait to take to the road (and in Sumi's case, the air -- he can fly) to spread the spirit of the Olympics.

For the brave marmot, however, there is no such glory or reward. His job, which brings to mind the marathon journey of Pheidippides, is a thankless one. Who is this anonymous mailman (and why is he so cute)? On one of the very last pages of the book, his name and motivations are finally laid out.

Mukmuk is a small and friendly Vancouver Island marmot who always supports and cheers loudly for his friends during games and races.

This little creature (from an endangered species -- there are only 200 left) gets his name from the word "muckamuck," Chinook for "food." He really likes berries and mountain flowers. Mukmuk is not a superanimal, and he can't fly or even play sports himself. Mukmuk was not born into privilege like the royal children Hakon and Kristin of Lillehammer 1994. He just does his job, loves food, and wants nothing more than to watch sports and cheer.

Mukmuk is the first mascot in Olympic history that represents us, the fans.

But Mukmuk is listed not as a mascot, but as a "mascot sidekick." A sidekick. In the (otherwise terrific) movie that retells the tale of the Vancouver 2010 characters, Mukmuk only appears for ten seconds in a five-minute film. Fast-forward to the 3:20 mark if you already know the story.

And VANOC did not initially produce any merchandise at all, or grant any licenses, that would allow this second-class character to be taken home and properly loved. His appearances were limited to the official website. And if it wasn't for the singular efforts of local columnist Jeff Lee of the Vancouver Sun, that would likely still be the case. In February 2008, after the mascots were unveiled, he penned editorials like this one:

For those of you who don't know poor Mukmuk, he's the virtual reality sidekick to the Vancouver 2010 mascots. He lives mainly in cyberspace. Well, cyber jail, really, because he doesn't get out much....

So far, all we've seen of the little furball is a cameo appearance in the video introduction of the Three Amigos. He's the poor sod shivering on a mountain top, skiing down to Whistler on a para-ski thrown to him by Sumi, and handing the hot cocoa-drinking mascots an invitation to attend the 2010 Games. He's had to bring up the rear every time The Officials head off anywhere, holding up a "We're No. 1" mitt.

The response was instant, sudden, and artistic. Children sent in drawings in support of the Free Mukmuk movement, like this one from Rianna Melan, age 9.

Mukmuk became the ultimate under-marmot. Even VANOC CEO John Furlong was impressed by the campaign. And nine months after the start of the Free Mukmuk movement, marmot lovers earned a key victory. Although he was not elevated to true mascot status, Mukmuk merchandise was unleashed across Canada on November 27, 2008 -- from t-shirts to hats to pins to plushies to luggage tags.

A year later, Mukmuk got to star in his very own movie! It was dedicated to "all the great fans of sport."

Now that the Games have arrived, it's clear that Mukmuk is the people's choice. At the Whistler superstore, the plastic container of stuffed Mukmuks contains a lower quantity than the others. One doesn't need to stand near it for very long to see a wide-eyed child running up, grabbing one, and yelling out, "Mukmuk!!"

And Mukmuk, once a round little tan-colored afterthought, has become a popular media celebrity!

The three main characters are cool and all, but they're very difficult to relate to. It's the same disconnected admiration we have for the athletes at the Games -- they can do things that we can't, utilizing skills that we'll never attain. Likewise, none of us will swim under the sea like Miga, soar above the clouds like Sumi, or have awesome fur like Quatchi. But Mukmuk, with his little orange beanie and "#1" foam mitt, is different.

Mukmuk is one of us.