"Le Yangyang" are the mascots for the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou. The mascots were released on Monday, April 28, 2008. [Photo: chinanews.com]

Five sporty goats, dubbed "Le Yangyang," will serve as the mascots of the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou.

The five goats, A Xiang, A He, A Ru, A Yi and Le Yangyang, are a play on Guangzhou's nickname, "City of Goats," China News Service reports.

The mascot design came from a legend about five immortals who took five goats to Guangzhou, each holding an ear of corn in its mouth. There, the immortals prayed for an end to famine, then flew into the sky as the five goats turned into fossils.

The Chinese character "yang" or "goat" is also an auspicious symbol. The mascot is believed to bring harmony, blessings, success and happiness to the Asian people.

Officials held a gala on Monday evening to mark the event in Guangzhou.

"Le Yangyang" are the mascots for the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou. The mascots were released on Monday, April 28, 2008. [Photo: cnsphoto]

(CRI April 29, 2008)