It all began with Schuss at the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble The skier was the first official mascot of Olympic history. Since then, mascots have become a staple at every Olympic Games appearing on various fan merchandise. Mascots usually represent local animals and are among the most-loved souvenirs in the world. Walki the dachshund at the 1972 Munich Games was the first mascot at a Summer Olympics.
First Olympic Mascot
The first Olympic mascot to truly become a known entity was Mischa from the 1980 Summer Games in Moscow. The brown bear played a central role in both the Opening and Closing ceremonies and was displayed on numerous souvenirs.
First Paralympic Mascot
The Paralympics have had their own mascot since the 1992 Summer Games in Barcelona with Petra the runner being the first mascot.
Summer Olympic Mascots
Olympic Summer Games 1972, Munich: Waldi, a dachshund
Olympic Summer Games 1976, Montreal: Amik, a beaver
Olympic Summer Games 1980, Moscow: Mischa, a bear
Olympic Summer Games 1984, Los Angeles: Sam the Eagle, an eagle
Olympic Summer Games 1988, Seoul: Hodori, a tiger
Olympic Summer Games 1992, Barcelona: Cobi, a dog in cubism style
Olympic Summer Games 1996, Atlanta: Izzy, an abstract figure
Olympic Summer Games 2000, Sydney: Olly a kookaburra; Syd a platypus; and Millie, an echidna
Olympic Summer Games 2004, Athens: Athena and Phevos, two modern children
Olympic Summer Games 2008, Peking: Beibei, a fish; Jingjing, panda; Huanhuan, Olympic flame; Yingying, a Tibetan antelope; and Nini, a swallow
Winter Olympic Mascots
Olympic Winter Games 1968, Grenoble: Schuss, a skier
Olympic Winter Games 1976, Innsbruck: Snowman
Olympic Winter Games 1980, Lake Placid: Roni the Raccoon
Olympic Winter Games 1984, Sarajevo: Vuchko, a wolf
Olympic Winter Games 1988, Calgary: Hidy and Howdy, two polar bears
Olympic Winter Games 1992, Albertville: Magique, half-man, half star
Olympic Winter Games 1994, Lillehammer: Haakon and Kristin, two Norwegian children
Olympic Winter Games 1998, Nagano: Sukki, Nokki, Lekki and Tsukki, four owls
Olympic Winter Games 2002, Salt Lake City: Powder, a snowshoe hare; Copper, a coyote; and Coal, an American black bear
Olympic Winter Games 2006, Turin: Neve, a female snowball; and Gliz, a male ice cube
Olympic Winter Games 2010, Vancouver: Miga, snowboarding bear; Quatchi, hockey playing sasquatch; Sumi, an animal spirit
Summer Paralympic Mascots
Summer Paralympics 1988, Seoul: Bears
Summer Paralympics 1992, Barcelona: Petra, a runner
Summer Paralympics 1996, Atlanta: Blaze, a flaming eagle
Summer Paralympics 2000, Sydney: Lizzie, frill-necked lizard
Summer Paralympics 2004, Athens: Proteas, a colorful seahorse
Summer Paralympics 2008, Beijing: Fu Niu Lele, a cow
Winter Paralympic Mascots
Winter Paralympics 1998, Nagano: Parabbit, a white rabbit
Winter Paralympics 2002, Salt Lake City: Otto, an otter
Winter Paralympics 2006, Turin: Aster, a white snowflake
Winter Paralympics 2010, Vancouver: Miga, snowboarding bear; Quatchi, hockey playing sasquatch; Sumi, an animal spirit
