The Munich Olympic mascot was a unique symbol that represented the spirit and energy of the 1972 Summer Olympics held in Munich, Germany. The mascot, named Waldi, was a Dachshund, a breed commonly associated with Germany. Waldi was chosen as the mascot for the Games due to its friendly and lively nature, which reflected the ideals of the Olympic movement. Waldi was designed by Otl Aicher, a German graphic designer and typographer who was also responsible for the overall visual identity of the Munich Olympics. The design of Waldi went through several iterations before the final version was chosen. The final design featured a colorful and playful Dachshund with a long body, short legs, and a wagging tail.
12 Famous Olympic Mascots and Their Origins
Since 1968, every Olympics has ushered in with it another unforgettable mascot persona. These Olympic mascots have always found their way onto official merchandise of the Olympic Games. The most creative mascot designs have proven to be beloved by the host city and in some cases, an iconic piece of that year’s festivities.
Here are some of our favourite Olympic mascots and a short bio on their origins.
The final design featured a colorful and playful Dachshund with a long body, short legs, and a wagging tail. The colors used in Waldi's design were also carefully selected. Waldi was depicted in a variety of vibrant colors, including blue, green, and yellow, which represented the diversity and unity of the participating nations.
1. Codi (Barcelona, 1992 Olympics)
Codi was an Olympic mascot that wasn’t the most well received when released. You wouldn’t know it but it’s a Pyrenean mountain dog in a suit. It’s Cubist-inspired, something which sets the mascot apart from other designs. A successful Olympic mascot like Codi takes chances. Not everyone may like it but what Codi does well is stand out. The cuddliness of the little guy also admittedly helps.
The colors were also used throughout the Olympics to create a cohesive and visually appealing aesthetic. Waldi quickly became a beloved symbol of the Munich Olympics and was featured on various promotional materials, including posters, clothing, and merchandise. The mascot's popularity extended beyond the Games themselves as Waldi's image was widely used in various forms of media, such as cartoons and television specials. The choice of Waldi as the official mascot of the Munich Olympics was seen as a departure from previous Olympic mascots, which often featured exotic animals or mythical creatures. Waldi symbolized the friendly and welcoming nature of the Games, embodying the spirit of friendship and sportsmanship. In conclusion, the Munich Olympic mascot, Waldi, was a colorful and playful Dachshund that represented the spirit and energy of the 1972 Summer Olympics. Created by Otl Aicher, Waldi became a beloved symbol of the Games and a memorable part of Olympic history..
Reviews for "Munich 1972: Celebrating Diversity Through Olympic Mascots"
1. Michael - 2/5 - The Munich Olympic mascot has to be one of the most uninspired and lackluster designs I've ever seen. It's just a simple figure with no defining features or creativity. I was really expecting something more striking and memorable for such an important event. It seems like the designers didn't put much effort into it, and it definitely shows. Overall, I was highly disappointed with the Munich Olympic mascot.
2. Emma - 1/5 - The Munich Olympic mascot is just plain ugly. I can't believe they chose this design out of all the options they must have had. It looks like a hodgepodge of random shapes put together with no coherence or thought behind it. I don't find it appealing at all and I think it does a disservice to the event it represents. I really hope they reconsider and come up with a better mascot before the Olympics take place.
3. John - 2/5 - The Munich Olympic mascot is quite forgettable. I couldn't even remember what it looked like after seeing it for the first time. It lacks the charm and personality that mascots usually have. It's just a generic character that doesn't stand out in any way. I think they missed a great opportunity to create something memorable and iconic for the Munich Olympics. Overall, I'm just not impressed with the mascot at all.