With the Paris 2024 Olympics just around the corner, Phryges can be seen all over Paris and beyond. It's the perfect opportunity to look back at the history of these famous Olympic mascots. Did you know that France was the first country to incorporate a mascot into the Olympic Games? In 1968, the organizers of the Grenoble Olympics created"Schuss", the first official mascot, marking the start of a tradition that continues with Phryges for Paris 2024.
Olympic mascots, imaginary characters symbolizing the spirit of the modern Olympic Games, have been a fixture since the 1968 Winter Games. Every edition of the Games, summer or winter, now has its own official mascot, and the Paralympic Games are no exception. These mascots are often animals indigenous to the region where the Games are held, or imaginary creatures, reflecting local culture and history while embodying the ideals of Olympism and the Paralympic Movement.
While the first appearance of a mascot at the Olympic Games dates back to 1932 in Los Angeles with a young dog named Smoky, it was in Grenoble in 1968 that an official mascot was created. "Schuss", a character representing a stylized skier, was chosen to better represent the Isère environment. This French initiative paved the way for a long series of mascots that continue to enliven the Games to this day. Other attempts at unofficial mascots included a dolphin named Dof for Grenoble, which was quickly abandoned, and figurines for the Mexico 1968 and Munich 1972 Games.
From Waldi the dachshund at the Munich Games, through Samthe eagle at the Los Angeles Games, to Bing Dwen Dwen the panda at the Beijing Games and the futuristic Miraitowa in Tokyo, mascots come and go. You can find all the mascots from different countries and years on the Olympics page.
Olympic mascots continue to capture the imagination and reflect the cultural identity of host cities. For Paris 2024, the Phryges, little creatures inspired by the Phrygian cap, symbolize both the history and the revolutionary spirit of France. They embody freedom and commitment, values dear to Olympism. The creation of mascots is not just a design exercise, but also a way of bringing people together and inspiring them through strong, accessible symbols. This symbol, portrayed by the Marianne in town halls and on stamps, is deeply rooted in our history and culture.
Photo with the President, in police custody or jet skiing in Tahiti, there's no denying Phryge is living her best life during these Paris 2024 Olympics.
Remember: in November 2022, when the Phrygians, the mascots of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, were presented, the Paris 2024 Committee elicited mixed reactions to these "clitoral" looking creatures, supposed to represent Phrygian bonnets.
Its anthropomorphic appearance provoked criticism, mockery and questioning. Almost two years later, with the Paris 2024 Games in full swing and the mascot making appearances all over the country and French islands, the negative comments have definitely gone out the window: the Phryge has become the star of the summer and they're being snapped up everywhere. On social networks, declarations of love for this giant pseudo-clitoris are multiplying.
In short, the invention of the Olympic mascot by France in 1968 with "Schuss" marked a turning point in the history of the Games, adding a playful and emblematic dimension to each edition. Mascots, often mocked but always acclaimed, remain a central element of the Olympic Games, celebrating diversity and unity through unique and endearing characters. Long live the mascots, and in particular the Olympic and Paralympic Phrygians, who are the emblem of the world's most beautiful Olympic Games (yes, we're chauvinists...).
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