Rio Olympic mascot named after musician

Rio Olympic organisers have named their mascots in honour of two greats of Brazilian music, Vinicius de Moraes and Tom Jobim.

Vinicius will be the name of the Rio Olympic Games mascot following a three-week on-line vote. (AAP)

Vinicius will be the name of the Rio Olympic Games mascot following a three-week on-line vote.

The Paralympic Games mascot will be called Tom.

The names are in honour of two greats of Brazilian music, Vinicius de Moraes and Tom Jobim, said organisers after 323,327 public votes.

Vinicius, mascot of the Olympic Games, is a yellow feline animal representing Brazil's rich fauna and wildlife.

The Paralympic Games mascot is a predominantly blue and green figure whose head is covered with leaves, depicting the host country's rich vegetation.

The first Olympics to be held in South America will take place in August 2016.