The Phryges
Official mascots of the 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Paris
| The Phryges | |
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 The Olympic Phryge (left), the official mascot of the Olympics, and the Paralympic Phryge (right), the official mascot of the Paralympics | |
| Mascots of the 2024 Summer Olympics and 2024 Summer Paralympics (Paris) | |
| Creator | Gilles Deleris |
| Based on | Phrygian cap |
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| Part of a series on |
| 2024 Summer Olympics |
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| 2024 Summer Paralympics |
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The Phryges (French: [fʁiʒ]; singular: Phryge) are the official mascots of Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.[1] They are two anthropomorphic Phrygian caps, a symbol of France.
History
Background
The Phrygian cap, a soft hat typically in red, was traditionally worn by freed slaves in Phrygia, an ancient kingdom located in present-day Turkey.[2] Since the 1789 storming of the Bastille state prison, which began the French Revolution, the Phrygian cap was worn as a symbol of liberty, including during the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris.[3] Marianne, the national personification of France, is often depicted wearing a Phrygian cap.[4]
Unveiling
On 14 November 2022, with the reveal of the Paris 2024 mascot, they were advertised as "sporty, party-loving and so French."[5] Tony Estanguet, president of the organizing committee, said that an "ideal" was chosen over an animal, elaborating on the cap's symbol of freedom and meaning to French people. He added that the Paralympics mascot's disability "also sends a strong message: to promote inclusion."[6]
Characteristics
The Phryges are portrayed as two red triangular-shaped anthropomorphic caps. They have arms in a slope and present their top parts flopping forward.[2] The Paris 2024 emblem is visible on their chests,[3] and their eyes are adorned by tricolor ribbons portraying the French flag, paying homage to the cockade of France.[3][7][8] The Olympic Phryge has two blue sneakers, while the Paralympic Phryge wears a prosthesis and a red sneaker on the other leg.[7][9]
Each Phryge was given a personality. The Olympic Phryge is "the smart one" with a "methodical mind and alluring charm," whereas the Paralympic Phryge is "a party animal, spontaneous and a bit hotheaded."[10]
Reception
In France, criticisms have been made about most of the toy replicas of the mascot being "Made in China."[11] Julie Matikhine, director of the Paris 2024 brand, responded that "18 percent of the stuffed toys produced by the company Doudou et Compagnie will be in Brittany," in the hope of "relocating part of the sector."[12]
The Phryges have been likened to a giant "clitoris in trainers",[13] and have been nicknamed le clito national (the national clitoris) by French netizens. The French newspaper Libération hailed it as a revolutionary departure from the traditional phallic symbol of the Eiffel Tower.[14]
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Phryge stuffed toy manufacturing details
References
- ^ "Meet Olympic Phryge and Paralympic Phryge: The story of the Paris 2024 mascots". 14 November 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
- ^ a b O'Neill, Shane; Chery, Samantha (31 July 2024). "Is the Paris Olympics 2024 mascot so weird it works?". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on 31 July 2024. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
- ^ a b c Cohen, Rebecca (26 July 2024). "What are Phryges? Everything to know about the Paris 2024 mascot". NBC News. Archived from the original on 6 August 2024. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
- ^ Darbhamulla, Sruthi (22 July 2024). "Paris Olympics 2024: The story behind The Phryges, the mascot". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 23 July 2024. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
- ^ Mather, Victor (14 November 2022). "Liberté, Égalité, Millinery?". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 15 November 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
- ^ Belam, Martin (14 November 2022). "Meet the Phryges: Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic mascots unveiled". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 22 July 2024. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Paris 2024 chooses symbol of French Revolution as Olympic mascot". 2022-11-14. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
- ^ "Paris 2024 Olympic Games: Everything you should know about 'Phryge', the mascot of the summer games". The Indian Express. 26 July 2024. Archived from the original on 6 August 2024. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
- ^ Clark, Meredith (16 November 2022). "Paris 2024 Olympics mascot mocked for resembling 'giant clitorises'". The Independent. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
- ^ "Paris 2024 Olympic, Paralympic mascots unveiled". NBC Sports. 14 November 2022. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
- ^ "Phrygian cap symbolising French republic chosen as 2024 Paris Olympics mascot". France 24. 14 November 2022. Archived from the original on 10 February 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
- ^ "Made-in-China 'Phryges' toys are surprise mascots for Paris Olympics 2024". Radio France International. 14 November 2022. Archived from the original on 26 July 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
- ^ Chrisafis, Angelique (15 November 2022). "Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games mascots likened to 'clitoris in trainers'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 5 August 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
- ^ Girard, Quentin (14 November 2022). "JO 2024 : vive les Phryges, les mascottes clitoris qui en mettent plein la vulve". Libération. Archived from the original on 6 August 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
External links
- Official website (in English)
- Official website (in French)
| Preceded by | Olympic mascot The Olympic Phryge Paris 2024 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Paralympic mascot The Paralympic Phryge Paris 2024 | Succeeded by |
Media related to The Phryges (mascots) at Wikimedia Commons
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