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What is a Phryge? 2024 Olympic mascot, explained, from history to meaning for Paris Olympics
By Ehsan Kassim, USA TODAY NETWORK,
4 hours ago
Mascots are synonymous with sports, and the Olympics, worldwide event that they are, prove no different,
Indeed, they have a rich history of mascots parading during events to meet and greet athletes and fans. And the mascot that will come to represent the 2024 Paris Olympics is a uniquely French representation of the host country.
“The Phryges" will be the official Olympic mascots for the 2024 Paris Games, three years after Miraitowa represented Tokyo and Japan in the 2020 Summer Olympics and two years after Bing Dwen Dwen represented Beijing and China in the 2022 Winter Games. This year's event will be contested in France from Friday through Sunday, Aug. 11.
They consist of the Olympic Phryge, described as having a "methodical mind and alluring charm" and representing the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Paralympic Phryge, which has a prosthetic leg, is “a party animal, spontaneous and a bit hotheaded." She represents the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
Per the 2024 Paris Olympics site , the Phryges were "chosen as symbols of freedom and to represent allegorical figures of the French republic."
“Rather than an animal, our mascots represent an ideal,” Paris 2024 president Tony Estanguet said in a statement at the time of the announcement. “Since it is familiar to us and appears on our stamps and the pediments of our town halls, it also represents French identity and spirit.”
The Phryges break somewhat from mascot tradition in that they are not based off of animals or cities tied to specific Olympic Games. Instead, they are based off Phrygian caps, or liberty caps, which are described as soft conical hats with the top curled forward.
Though not mentioned directly by the 2024 Paris Olympics site, what eventually became to be called Phrygian caps began in antiquity and have survived into modernity as symbols of freedom and liberty. They were used as symbols during the American and French revolutions in the 1700s and became a lasting symbol during revolutionary France.
Indeed, as noted by the official Paris 2024 Games site , Phrygian caps have played a crucial role in French history. They date back as early as 1163, with Phrygian caps worn during the construction of Paris’ Notre-Dame cathedral, during the 1789 French Revolution, during the work to build the iconic Eiffel Tower and during the 1924 Paris Olympics.
"The Phryges are based on an item of clothing that is a symbol of freedom and has been a part of French history for centuries, dating back to ancient times. After featuring on certain flags in Latin America before becoming widely popularised by French revolutionaries, the Phrygian cap has now become a familiar image in France. A symbol of revolution, the French Republic and freedom, the Phrygian cap can be seen on French national icon Marianne, depicted in busts at town halls across the country and on stamps, and is also covered in the national curriculum in schools."
Phryges pronunciation
Phryges is pronounced " free-jee-us ," according to the event organizers.
The mascots for the Paris 2024 Olympic (R) and Paralympic (L) Games 'Les Phryges.' Marc Piasecki, Getty Images
The Olympic Phryge
"Always thoughtful and an astute strategist, she embarks on adventures only after carefully weighing up all the pros and cons. Just like the Olympic athletes, she knows the importance of measuring all the various parameters to achieve her goals. With her sharp mind, she is modest and prefers to hide her emotions. The Olympic Phryge will lead the movement of all those who take part in sport, and believe us, she will give her all to get France moving!"
The Paralympic Phryge
"Did you recognize the running prosthetic she proudly wears, enabling her to run at lighting speed? Her passion is to blaze a trail; some might say she is fearless, which might be true, but one thing is certain: she hates being bored and loves to try new things. No matter the sport, and regardless of whether she competes as part of a team or on her own, she is always game to play. With her, you will get moving, playing, dancing, and sweating! With her mindset of being the perfect supporter, she loves promoting the values of sport, celebrating athletes in all arenas and all the Games venues, and partying to celebrate victories or get over defeats."
Olympic mascot history
France introduced the "first" Olympic mascot during the 1968 Grenoble Winter Games. The Schuss ― a Z-shaped skier with a big red head, blue legs, and a single sky ― was seen more as a symbol than a character but set the motion for mascots in future Olympics.
During the 1972 Munich Summer Games, Waldi, a dachshund dog breed designed by graphic artist Elena Winschermann, debuted and is widely recognized as the first official Olympic mascot. The mascot was inspired by a real dog. One of the most famous mascots in Olympic history was in the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles, with a mascot based on the bald eagle, the American national bird.
Below are the Olympic mascots dating back to the 2000 Summer Games. For the full list of Olympic mascots, click here .
Paris 2024: The Olympic Phryge
Beijing 2022: Bing Dwen Dwen
Tokyo 2020: Miraitowa
PyeongChang 2018: Soohorang
Rio 2016: Vinicius
Sochi 2014: The Hare, the Polar Bear and the Leopard
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