NEW YORK -- Take that, Pokemon. On Sunday, the Japanese prime minister turned up at the Olympics closing ceremonies to promote the 2020 Tokyo games dressed up as Mario , the eponymous hero of the popular video game series created in 1985.Who is Mario and how did he come by his global appeal? Heres a closer look.---WHY SUPER MARIO?Japanese animation and game characters from Hello Kitty to Pac Man also made appearances in the closing ceremonies. But none of them may have the global reach of Super Mario, the game franchise that was a hit when Nintendos video game system and Game Boy burst onto the scene in the 1980s.Prime Minister Shinzo Abes appearance as Super Mario was a crowd-pleasing reminder of how much the game helped spur on the videogame revolution in the U.S. and globally. Abe emerged from a green pipe in a big red Super Mario cap and costume, holding a glowing red ball kicked to him by famed manga soccer star Captain Tsubasa.---HOW DID SUPER MARIOS APPEARANCE COME ABOUT?Tokyo 2020 organizers said in a statement that the Super Mario idea came up during a brainstorming session. Staff at Nintendo would say only that the government asked to borrow the character for the show.---MARIOS BACKSTORYThe franchise began in 1981, when Donkey Kong debuted as an arcade game. Donkey Kong soon became the hottest selling arcade game in the business. In that game, a character called Jumpman, similar to Mario, tried to save a damsel from a big ape. Super Mario came a long four years later, packaged with the Nintendo Entertainment System, popularizing the side-scrolling videogame format.Marios first job was carpentry, but later he became a plumber, and in many games he travels up and down in a world of underground pipes. In his book Game Over: How Nintendo Conquered the World, David Sheff wrote that Mario was named after Nintendos U.S. landlord, who was demanding back rent from the companys fledgling U.S. arm. Nintendo doesnt confirm or deny the story.---BY THE NUMBERSThere are more than 100 games, for various gaming systems, ranging from Donkey Kong to Super Mario Kart, in which Mario is the primary character, and many more in which he makes appearances. Mario Brothers is the best-selling video franchise of all time, with more than 490 million units sold since 1995, according to research firm NPD.Jim Bouton Jersey .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Huascar Ynoa Jersey . Cote was eligible to become a free agent Feb. 15. Cote helped running back Jon Cornish run for a league-high 1,813 rushing yards en route to being named the leagues most outstanding player. https://www.cheapbraves.com/263o-bryse-wilson-jersey-braves.html .Y. - General manager Billy King says the Brooklyn Nets are looking to add a big man and confirmed the team worked out centre Jason Collins, who would become the first openly gay active NBA player if signed. Greg Maddux Braves Jersey . The defence is doing its part, too. Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first half and the guys on the other side made sure that was enough, sending the Saints to a 17-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. Dale Murphy Braves Jersey .com) - The Pittsburgh Penguins placed forward James Neal on injured reserve Tuesday.PARIS -- The French tennis federation has provisionally suspended Kristina Mladenovic, Caroline Garcia and Benoit Paire for damaging its image at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.Paire, who was seeded 16th at the Rio Games, was sent home after being kicked off Frances team.The 27-year-old Paire, ranked 34 in the world, broke team rules, the FFT said in its statement Sunday. He reportedly sometimes stayed away from the village, or came back late. He also made dismissive comments about the importance of the Games because there are no ranking points.Mladenovic and Garcia sharply criticized the FFT following their defeat in the first round of the doubles over a clothing mix-up, saying that they were not informed by their federation that, as doubles partners, they had to wear the same colors.The pair was told just before going on court that they could lose by default if they did not change their clothing, and Mlaadenovic had to lend Garcia some spare gear.ddddddddddddMladenovic was particularly angry, posting five tweets in which she lambasted what she called the incompetence of the FFT, blaming it for ruining their match.The FFT said all three showed an unacceptable attitude, adding that they are provisionally suspended from selection until a final decision is made on Sept. 24.Mladenovic and Garcia are key players in Frances Fed Cup team that will contest the final against the Czech Republic in November.France plays away to Croatia in the Davis Cup semifinals from Sept. 16-18, meaning that Paire is ineligible to play.However, he has yet to represent France and was not expected to be selected.The FFT added that the three will receive no help from the FFT during the suspension period. ' ' '