Noggi and Joggi: The First Paralympic Mascots

You might not know that Noggi and Joggi, the world's first Paralympic mascots, were anthropomorphic squirrels introduced at the 1980 Arnhem Games. Noggi was male with a partial right arm, while Joggi was female and blind in her left eye — deliberate design choices reflecting Paralympic athletes' realities. Their names were chosen through a public TV competition judged by athletes and artists. There's plenty more fascinating history behind these groundbreaking mascots to uncover.

Key Takeaways

• Noggi and Joggi were anthropomorphic squirrels and the first-ever official Paralympic mascots, debuting at the 1980 Arnhem Games in the Netherlands.
• Noggi, the male squirrel, was missing part of his right arm, while Joggi, the female, was blind in her left eye.
• Their names were deliberately chosen for Dutch familiarity and rhymed to reinforce their symbolic partnership and unity as a pair.
• The mascots were designed through a public competition, with winner Necky Oprinsen of Sint-Michielsgestel receiving a trip to New York.
• Red squirrels were chosen as inspiration due to their presence in Arnhem's surrounding forests and their symbolism of resilience and determination.

Why Did Squirrels Become the First Paralympic Mascots?

When you think of Paralympic mascots, squirrels mightn't be the first animals that come to mind—yet that's exactly what the 1980 Arnhem Games chose. Two key reasons drove this decision.

First, there's a strong local wildlife tie-in to host venue: red squirrels were commonly found in the forests surrounding the National Sports Centre Papendal, directly connecting the mascots to their Dutch environment.

Second, the symbolic significance of squirrel mascot runs deeper than appearance. According to Paralympic researcher Dr. Ian Brittain, squirrels spend their lives cracking hard nuts—a fitting metaphor for the adversity Paralympians overcome. You can see why this resonated: it reflected the resilience and determination that define Paralympic athletes, making squirrels an unexpectedly powerful symbol for the Games. The mascots were the first ever Paralympic mascots, marking a historic milestone in the Games' tradition of symbolic representation.

The winning design for Noggi and Joggi was created by Necky Oprinsen, an entrant from St. Michelsgestel, selected through a competition organized by AVRO, a Dutch broadcasting company.

What Did Noggi and Joggi Actually Look Like?

Noggi and Joggi were an anthropomorphic pair of squirrels—one male, one female—sporting orangish-brown fur, dark brown eyes, and shirts modeled after the Arnhem 1980 Games logo. Their crocheted composition inspiration came from designer Necky Oprinsen's handmade models.

Each mascot also had physical disabilities represented in their design:

• Noggi, the male, was missing part of his right arm
• Joggi, the female, was blind in her left eye
• Joggi also wore baby blue eyeshadow
• Both wore uniforms featuring the Paralympic event logo prominently

Their designs appeared on plush toys, memorabilia, and official publications. You'd recognize them instantly—their disabilities weren't hidden but deliberately showcased, reflecting the spirit of the Paralympic Games they represented. This tradition of featuring disabilities and assistive devices in mascot design has continued to inspire fan artists and creators on platforms like DeviantArt. Notably, Noggi and Joggi hold the distinction of being first Paralympic mascots, making them a significant part of 1980s mascot history.

Where Did the Names Noggi and Joggi Come From?

Beyond their charming physical designs, you might find yourself wondering how these two squirrels got their distinctive names. The mysterious name origins of Noggi and Joggi remain largely unexplained in official records, with no explicit etymology documented.

What you can appreciate, though, is the cultural symbolism behind the names. They carry a distinctly Dutch familiarity, feeling natural and approachable to local audiences without requiring direct translation. The pairing itself wasn't accidental — creator Necky Oprinsen designed them as a married couple, so their rhyming names reinforced their partnership and unity.

Together, Noggi and Joggi set a precedent for future Paralympic mascot naming conventions. Their names helped build excitement through printed souvenirs and media appearances, cementing their identity as the 1980 Arnhem Games' most recognizable symbols. Later Paralympic mascots would follow with equally deliberate naming choices, such as Dan D. Lion, who appeared at the New York 1984 Paralympic Games and was created by Maryanne McGrath.

How Did a TV Competition Decide the Noggi and Joggi Design?

The entry requirements specified that each submission depict a squirrel pair wearing Arnhem 1980 uniforms. The submission process was straightforward: mail your crocheted models directly to AVRO.

Key competition details included:

• Designs symbolized perseverance
• Models depicted one male (Noggi) and one female (Joggi)
• Necky Oprinsen of Sint-Michielsgestel won
• Her design portrayed a married couple
• Princess Margriet awarded Oprinsen a trip for two to New York City

Who Judged the Noggi and Joggi Design Competition?

A distinguished jury of five evaluated the handmade squirrel submissions for AVRO's design competition on the Sportpanorama program. The judging criteria emphasized creativity and alignment with Paralympic themes, guaranteeing the winning design reflected meaningful symbolism.

The jury backgrounds were equally impressive. Paralympic table tennis athlete Irene Schmidt brought an athlete's perspective, while entertainer Martine Bijl and singer-songwriter Herman van Veen contributed a creative eye. Animal artist Rien Poortvliet assessed designs with expertise in wildlife representation, and documentary filmmaker Bert Haanstra rounded out the panel with his visual storytelling background.

Together, they evaluated each contestant's handmade squirrel model for Noggi and Joggi's mascot roles. Their combined expertise ensured the selected design authentically captured the spirit of the Games and the squirrels' symbolic meaning.

How Did Noggi and Joggi Show Up at the 1980 Arnhem Games?

Once selected, Noggi and Joggi showed up across the 1980 Arnhem Games in several tangible ways. Their mascot appearance during games extended beyond ceremonial roles, reaching audiences through practical merchandising of mascots and media coverage.

Here's how they appeared throughout the event:

• Memorabilia sales – Printed on various items sold at Arnhem venues
• Plush toys – Created and distributed to fans and participants
• Publications – Featured across official printed materials
• Media expressions – Appeared in broadcasts and promotional content
• Promotional materials – Used across all official Games communications

Their widespread presence helped build genuine excitement around Paralympic sports, making them effective symbols for the Games' message of perseverance and athletic achievement. The two squirrel mascots were designed by Necky Oprensen, who created their distinctive look featuring clothes adorned with the Games logo.

Why Do Noggi and Joggi Still Matter in Paralympic History?

Although they appeared at just one Games, Noggi and Joggi cemented their place in Paralympic history as the first-ever official mascots. Their long lasting mascot impact shaped every Paralympic mascot that followed, particularly after 1988 when the tradition became formally tied to Olympic counterparts. You can trace today's diverse mascot designs directly back to the precedent these two squirrels established in Arnhem.

Their broader cultural significance extends beyond design history. They proved that mascots could spark genuine excitement for Paralympic sports, drive merchandise sales, and connect local identity to a global event. Modern lists and retrospectives continue highlighting Noggi and Joggi as overlooked pioneers, reminding you that meaningful traditions often start quietly. These crocheted squirrels didn't just represent one Games — they launched an entire legacy. The mascots were brought to life by designer Necky Oprinsen, whose creative vision gave the Arnhem Games an identity that resonated far beyond the competition itself.

Scholars studying identity and representation have drawn parallels between the visibility movements championed in events like the Paralympics and frameworks such as Black consciousness, which emphasize empowerment through cultivating a strong sense of collective identity and pride.