| Above: | Noggi and Joggi |
| Headerstyle: | background:#dde8ff; |
| Labelstyle: | background:#fed; |
| Header1: | Mascot of the 1980 Summer Paralympics (Arnhem) |
| Label2: | Creator |
| Data2: | Necky Oprinsen |
| Label3: | Significance |
| Data3: | A pair of squirrels |
Noggi and Joggi were the official mascots of the 1980 Summer Paralympics held in Arnhem, Netherlands. A pair of squirrels, they were the first ever Paralympic mascots.[1]
A squirrel was chosen as the mascot as it was common in the forests around National Sports Centre Papendal.[2] According to Paralympic researcher Dr. Ian Brittain,[3] a squirrel was also chosen because it gets many hard nuts to crack in its lifetime, not unlike people with disabilities who face adversity.[4]
Dutch broadcaster AVRO organized a design competition on its Sportpanorama program where contestants were asked to send in handmade squirrel models. The entries were judged by a jury which included table tennis player Irene Schmidt and celebrities, Herman van Veen, Rien Poortvliet and Bert Haanstra. The winning design was a pair of squirrels – one male and one female – created by Necky Oprinsen from Sint-Michielsgestel. The squirrels were crocheted and formed a married couple. This design formed the basis for the official mascots that would be used in publications and other media expressions.[2] As a prize, Oprinsen was offered a trip for two to New York City by Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, the patron of the Games.[5]
The mascots were printed on memorabilia sold at Arnhem.[6] Plush toys were also created.[7]