7 Fun Facts About the First Olympic Mascot — Waldi, the Dachshund

The first mascot of any Olympic Games wasn’t until 1972 in Munich, and the symbol depicted turned out to be Germany’s might Dachshund. Since then, pandas, eagles, beavers, tigers, sperm-like characters and ridiculous computer-graphic fantasy characters also served as mascots, but Waldi was the first.

Here are seven fun facts about the first Olympic mascot, Waldi, the Dachshund:

1. Waldi was modeled after a real long-haired Dachshund named Cherie von Birkenhof, who was a dog that the Munich Games Organizing Committee president gave to the International Sports Press Association President two years before the Olympics.
2. Waldi was created by designer Otl Aicher who also is credited with designing the logo for German airline Lufthansa.
3. The Olympic committee picked a Dachshund because the breed has qualities that make a great athlete: resistance, tenacity and agility.

4. Waldi’s colors were blue and stripes of the Olympics, except those of the National Socialist Party (so no red or black was allowed).