Thank you Gfreidi! A Mascot To Remember
The lively mascot Gfreidi diligently completed its on-event duties and entertained the crowd during the multi-sport European Championships Munich 2022. Did you catch a glimpse of the squirrel in person or on TV? Either way you couldn’t have kept up with this lively, active, curious, and clever mascot.
It felt like Gfreidi was everywhere at once. Our mascot went to every single competition venue, no matter the weather. Rain in the city centre at Königsplatz or Odeonsplatz? No problem. A cloudy day in Olympiastadion or on Olympiaberg? It didn’t even realise the cool air in its excitement – partly thanks to its fur. Or maybe a session indoors at Olympiahalle or Rudi-Sedlymayer-Halle despite a sunny day with a fresh breeze? There was always another sun ray to enjoy after watching table tennis and gymnastics live.
© Matthias Balk/ Munich 2022
Sport was always our mascot’s priority and wherever the squirrel appeared, fun was guaranteed. It inspired everyone nearby, tried out some of the sports and sometimes even caused a stir with his cheeky squirrel manner – with a wink of course.
Gfreidi is multi-faceted which made the native Munich squirrel the perfect face for our diverse multi-sport event, and it didn’t mind helping out wherever necessary.
Cheering on our athletes from the sidelines and on the field of play? Somehow, it just had to get rid of the nerves and energy.
© Thomas Niedermüller / Munich 2022
© Philipp Gülland/ Munich 2022
Another of its favourite activities during Munich 2022 was to hype up the crowd, and you went right along with it. No wonder as Gfreidi had quite a few tricks up its sleeves.
© Sebastian Sternemann / Munich 2022
© Philipp Gülland/ Munich 2022
But Gfreidi also helped out before our event in August. For example, our mascot helped during the penultimate Count & Last project, making sure Königsplatz was squeaky clean before the sport climbing walls and the beach volleyball sand arrived.
Do you want to learn more about its story, and how we came up with having a squirrel with a traditional Bavarian hat as a mascot? If so, then find out about Gfreidi’s origin here.