The new Paris Olympics 2024 mascot threw us a curveball with an exciting and intriguing choice: the Phryges. Far from your usual cuddly pandas or sporty dolphins – these symbols are totally different from the usual Olympic symbols. But what exactly are they, and what made Paris choose them as symbols for #Paris2024?
Here’s the inside scoop on what makes the quirky Phryges, well, Olympic.
What are the Phryges?
The Phryges are this year’s Paris Olympics 2024 mascot; a pair that represents the Olympic and Paralympic Games. They look like red, non-gender-conforming blobs modeled after ancient Phrygian caps, which have a rich historical significance in France.
These caps symbolize freedom, revolution, and the French Republic. By choosing the Phryges, the Paris 2024 organizers aimed to embody the nation’s spirit in a modern and abstract way.
Paris Olympics 2024 Mascot: Behind the Phrygian Caps
If you really want to understand the Phryges and why they were chosen in the first place, we need to explore a brief history of the Phrygian cap. Originating in ancient Anatolia, the cap symbolized liberty when worn by freed slaves in Rome. It later became increasingly prominent as a symbol during the French Revolution, which represented the people’s uprising against tyranny.
The cap’s association with freedom and equality has endured, making it a fitting choice for the Paris Olympics 2024 mascot!
The Phryges and the Olympic Ideal
If you check the Phryges out, there are two Paris Olympics 2024 mascots that stand out! And trust, they have names and what each of them symbolizes. They’re named Olympic Phryge and Paralympic Phryge.
One Paris 2024 mascot, the Olympic Phryge, is portrayed as a strategic thinker. The Olympic Phryge embodies a “true mathematician” and a “tactician”. Because in true Olympic athlete fashion discipline and focus are required for excellence.
The Paralympic Phryge, noticeable for their prosthetic leg, is depicted as spontaneous and energetic. This, on the other hand, represents the indomitable spirit of Paralympic athletes.
Together, the Phryges show the core values of the Olympic movement: unity, friendship, and respect.
The Phryges being the symbol for the Paris Olympics 2024 mascot have undoubtedly sparked a global conversation. While some have praised their unique design and historical significance, others have found them perplexing. However, their ability to generate interest and discussion is a testament to their effectiveness as a mascot.
Olympic Mascots: A Quick History
Historically, Olympic mascots have always been cute and cuddly with a touch of history, much like the Paris 2024 Mascot, especially the more recent ones in the last ten years.
But the first one wasn’t even really a mascot – it was more of a symbol than anything. The French started it all back in 1968 during the 1968 Grenoble Winter Games, with a red and blue Z-shaped skier called Schuss.
But the first-ever official Olympics mascot really stepped it up. Waldi started up the “cute and cuddly” Olympic mascot trend with a dachshund-inspired symbol that totally stole the show at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Everyone was obsessed! Not forgetting to mention, that iconic bald eagle from the 1984 Los Angeles Games, which was a great symbol of not just the American dream, but of overall perseverance.
With that, here’s a quick list of the other mascots that preceded the current Paris Olympics 2024 mascot:
Before the Paris Olympics 2024 mascot, there was Bing Dwen Dwen. The Beijing 2022 Olympics mascot. | Source: dailysabah.com
- Beijing 2022: Bing Dwen Dwen – A lovable panda sporting a transparent Winter suit.
- Tokyo 2020: Miraitowa – A futuristic-looking Olympic mascot with a blue or pink checkered pattern.
- PyeongChang 2018: Soohorang – A black and white tiger with showing a minimalist smile.
- Rio 2016: Vinicius – A yellow and colorful abstract creature that looks similar to a monkey.
- Sochi 2014: The Hare, the Polar Bear, and the Leopard – Wearing blue bows, scarves, and belts.
- London 2012: Wenlock – A one-eyed robot, each one with blue or orange spikes on their heads.
- Vancouver 2010: Quatchi (a big-footed creature) and Miga (a black and white sea bear that’s part Orca and part Kermode bear).
- Beijing 2008: Beibei, Jingjing, Huanhuan, Yingying, Nini – Five colorful panda-like creatures sporting creative headpieces.
- Turin 2006: Neve and Gliz – Snow-based characters with a red or blue body.
- Athens 2004: Phevos and Athena – Blue and orange bell-shaped terracotta-inspired dolls from Ancient Greece.
- Salt Lake City 2002: Powder, Coal and Copper – Three anthropomorphic characters representing the state’s natural resources.
- Sydney 2000: Syd, Olly, and Millie – Three kookaburras, Australia’s iconic laughing bird.
The Future Beyond the Paris 2024 Mascot
The Phryges are totally different from all those animal mascots we’re used to seeing. They’re a “think outside of the box” situation. Because of their odd, abstract look, you really have to stop and think about what they mean. It’s great how they’ve opened the door for other, more unique mascot ideas in the future.
At the end of the day, the Phryge as the Paris Olympics 2024 mascot isn’t just about France. It’s also about what the Olympics stand for. The committee that planned Paris 2024 took a big risk with this one, and to everyone’s surprise, it worked.
Everyone’s talking about these mascots, and whether you love ’em or hate ’em – they’ve certainly made their mark!
