The first official Olympic mascot, used at the 1972 Munich Games, was Waldi.
Waldi was a colorful dachshund created by German designer Otl Aicher and the Munich organizing committee. The dachshund was chosen because it was a popular and recognizable Bavarian dog, and its long body inspired the mascot’s distinctive multicolored, striped design. Waldi’s colors also reflected the visual identity of the Munich Games.
Munich 1972 marked the beginning of the official Olympic mascot tradition. Later mascots became increasingly elaborate, often representing local wildlife, folklore, or host-city culture. That is why names such as Misha, the bear from Moscow 1980, and Cobi, the dog from Barcelona 1992, are sometimes confused with Waldi. Sam was the eagle mascot of Los Angeles 1984.
Waldi was not merely a souvenir character: he appeared on official merchandise, posters, and Olympic publications, establishing a branding tradition that remains central to the Games.