The 1972 Munich Games opened as the first Olympics to feature a named mascot
When the 1972 Munich Games opened, they introduced Waldi the Dachshund, marking the first time in Olympic history that an event featured a named, colorful mascot to represent its spirit.
The 1972 Munich Summer Olympics forever changed sports branding by introducing Waldi, a colorful dachshund. While an unofficial mascot appeared in 1968, Waldi was the first officially named and marketed character in Olympic history. Designers chose the dachshund for its qualities of resistance, tenacity, and agility.
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