What's in the box given to Paris Olympics medal winners?

Medal winners at the 2024 Paris Olympics have been handed a mysterious 40-centimeter vertical box to go with the hardware for finishing atop one of the three podium spots. The unique offering was not given to triumphant athletes at the Tokyo Games or the previous Olympiads before Paris.

So, what's in the box?

According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the box contains the official poster for the Paris Olympics, designed by celebrated artist Ugo Gattoni. The artist reportedly spent nearly 2,000 hours over four months to complete the poster, which can also be purchased online.

Furthermore, the medal winners receive a special gold-, silver- or bronze-medal-winning mascot specially designed in France at the Doudou & Compagnie factory.

"Gold, silver or bronze medals are represented by the medal emblem sewn onto the mascot's belly, by the color of the trainers and by the text 'Bravo' in French on the back of the Phryge," the IOC wrote in a statement.

On social media, several medal-winning athletes shared pictures of the contents of the boxes.

In another unique change, the organizers of the 2024 Paris Olympics chose an ideal instead of an animal for the official mascot (Phrygian cap).

According to Tony Estanguet, the president of the 2024 Olympics, his committee wanted a mascot that was a "very strong symbol" for the French Republic rather than a random animal.

The Phrygian cap (the liberty cap) was a revolutionary symbol in France during the Age of Revolution, which institutionalized the modern ideals of democracy and freedom of speech.