At first glance, the mascot of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games It may look like a red triangle with arms, but it is actually a Phrygian cap, a symbol of liberty in French history.
The mascot of both Olympic Games The Paralympics were announced for 2022 with a mission to show the world “that sport can change everything and deserves to have a central role in society,” according to the Olympics website.
“We wanted mascots that embody our vision and can share it with the French and the world,” 2024 Paris Games President Tony Estanguet said at the launch: “More than an animal, our mascots represent an ideal. The Phrygian cap is a symbol of freedom. Because it is familiar to us and because it appears on our stamps and on the pediments of our town halls, it also represents the French identity and spirit.”
Phryges, pronounced “free-jes,” are also meant to encourage people to be active.
Where does the Phrygian cap come from?
According to the Architect of the Capitol, the Phrygian cap was already worn in Turkey in 800 BC. It was considered a distinctive sign of free men in classical Greece, where freed slaves wore it.
The red peaked hat has been part of French history for centuries and was widely popularized by French revolutionaries, worn during the French Revolution of 1789. It can be seen on busts of Marianne, a woman considered “the embodiment of the French Republic,” according to Olympic organizers.
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Caps were worn when Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral was under construction in 1163, according to the Olympics. Workers building the Eiffel Tower They also wore red hats.
Phrygian caps also made their way to the United States. According to the Architect of the Capitol, the hat appeared in images of the American Revolution. It was used in the early 19th century American Art and Coins.
The Olympic and Paralympic Phryge
The official Olympic website describes the mascot as a thoughtful and astute strategist.
“Like Olympic athletes, she knows how to measure all the parameters to achieve her goals. With a lively mind, she is modest and prefers to hide her emotions,” we can read on the site. “The Olympic Phryge will be the spearhead of the movement of all those who do sport and believe us, she will give her all to get France moving!”
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A version of the Paralympic Games mascot has a running prosthesis.
“Her passion is to lead the way. Some would say she is fearless, which may be true, but one thing is for sure: she hates being bored and loves to try new things,” the site’s description reads. “No matter what the sport, and whether she competes as a team or alone, she is always up for it.”
What are the Olympic mascots of the past?
The mascots chosen each year for the Olympics and Paralympics are seen as ambassadors embodying the spirit of the Olympics, according to organizers. They have been around since the 1968 Games, when the Winter Games were held in Grenoble, France. The first mascot was a little man named Shuss on skis. While the Paris mascot was chosen well in advance, Shuss was designed in haste: his designer had only one night to prepare his application.
The 1972 Munich Olympics featured the participation of Waldi, a dachshund. Waldi was the first mascot in the history of the Summer Olympics.
Since then, there have been Schneemandl the snowman, Amik the beaver, Sam the eagle, Hodori the tiger and Bing Dwen Dwen, among other characters.
“Their mission is to embody the Olympic spirit, to spread the values highlighted at each edition of the Games, to promote the history and culture of the host city and to give the event a festive atmosphere,” according to the Olympic Games.
