phryges
{{Short description|Official mascots of the 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Paris}}
{{2024 Summer Olympics}}
{{2024 Summer Paralympics}}
The Phryges ({{IPA|fr|fʁiʒ|lang}}) are the official mascots of the 2024 Summer Olympics and 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris.{{cite web|url=https://olympics.com/en/news/new-paris-2024-olympic-paralympic-mascots-revealed|title=Meet Olympic Phryge and Paralympic Phryge: The story of the Paris 2024 mascots|publisher=|date=14 November 2022|access-date=14 November 2022}} They are anthropomorphic Phrygian caps, a French symbol of liberty.
History
= Background =
File:Bonnet Phrygien.png, a symbol of liberty, inspired the design of the Phryges.]]
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.{{Cite news |last=O'Neill |first=Shane |last2=Chery |first2=Samantha |date=31 July 2024 |title=Is the Paris Olympics 2024 mascot so weird it works? |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/of-interest/2024/07/30/phryges-paris-olympics-mascot-2024/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731123934/https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/of-interest/2024/07/30/phryges-paris-olympics-mascot-2024/ |archive-date=31 July 2024 |access-date=6 August 2024 |work=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Rebecca |date=26 July 2024 |title=What are Phryges? Everything to know about the Paris 2024 mascot |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/olympics/what-are-phyrges-everything-to-know-paris-2024-mascot-rcna163751 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806053957/https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/olympics/what-are-phyrges-everything-to-know-paris-2024-mascot-rcna163751 |archive-date=6 August 2024 |access-date=6 August 2024 |website=NBC News |language=en}} Marianne, the national personification of France, is often depicted wearing a Phrygian cap.{{Cite news |last=Darbhamulla |first=Sruthi |date=22 July 2024 |title=Paris Olympics 2024: The story behind The Phryges, the mascot |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/olympics/paris-olympics-2024-the-story-behind-the-phryges/article68410360.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723013212/https://www.thehindu.com/sport/olympics/paris-olympics-2024-the-story-behind-the-phryges/article68410360.ece |archive-date=23 July 2024 |access-date=6 August 2024 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite web |last=Daugherty |first=Greg |title=The Paris Games' Mascot, the Olympic Phryge, Boasts a Little-Known Revolutionary Past |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-paris-games-mascot-the-olympic-phryge-boasts-a-little-known-revolutionary-past-180984546/ |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=Smithsonian Magazine |language=en}}
The Phryges were designed by Gilles Deleris{{Cite web |date=2024-07-26 |title=What is the Olympic mascot? Explaining 'Phryge' and the meaning behind quirky 2024 Paris character {{!}} Sporting News |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/olympics/news/olympic-mascot-phryge-meaning-2024-paris-character/d123343cbf6879aaa824d621 |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=www.sportingnews.com |language=en-us}} and Jules Dubost.{{Cite web |title=Character Designer Freelance France |url=https://en.artofjulo.com/paris2024 |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=artofjulo |language=en}}
= Unveiling =
On 14 November 2022, with the reveal of the Paris 2024 mascot, they were advertised as "sporty, party-loving and so French."{{Cite web |last=Mather |first=Victor |date=14 November 2022 |title=Liberté, Égalité, Millinery? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/14/sports/olympics/paris-olympics-mascot-phryge.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221115142403/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/14/sports/olympics/paris-olympics-mascot-phryge.html |archive-date=15 November 2022 |access-date=14 November 2022 |newspaper=The New York Times}} 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."{{Cite news |last=Belam |first=Martin |date=14 November 2022 |title=Meet the Phryges: Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic mascots unveiled |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/nov/14/paris-2024-olympic-mascot-paralympic-mascot-phryges-france |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722021048/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/nov/14/paris-2024-olympic-mascot-paralympic-mascot-phryges-france |archive-date=22 July 2024 |access-date=6 August 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}
Characteristics
The Phryges are portrayed as two red triangular-shaped anthropomorphic caps.{{cite web |title=Cosplay Phryge: the Mascot of the 2024 Paris Olympics |url=https://www.cosplaylight.com/Do-You-Already-Have-the-Idea-to-Cosplay-Phryge-the-Mascot-of-the-2024-Paris-Olympics-a715754.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2agdOag8jveo7dG8FlGpK31HFdk_p7SpRp_pEzh4iql4T4C5LkT6EcRzU_aem_5Ix4aYK5Pc4IkO5pkVgH1Qq |access-date=4 January 2025}} They have arms in a slope and present their top parts flopping forward. The Paris 2024 emblem is visible on their chests, and their eyes are adorned by tricolor ribbons portraying the French flag, paying homage to the cockade of France.{{Cite news |date=2022-11-14 |title=Paris 2024 chooses symbol of French Revolution as Olympic mascot |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/sports/article/2022/11/14/paris-2024-chooses-revolutionary-phrygian-cap-as-olympic-mascot_6004214_9.html |access-date=2024-08-06 |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=26 July 2024 |title=Paris 2024 Olympic Games: Everything you should know about 'Phryge', the mascot of the summer games |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-globally/paris-2024-olympic-games-phryge-the-mascot-9477158/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806010525/https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-globally/paris-2024-olympic-games-phryge-the-mascot-9477158/ |archive-date=6 August 2024 |access-date=6 August 2024 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}} The Olympic Phryge has two blue sneakers, while the Paralympic Phryge wears a prosthesis and a red sneaker on the other leg.{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Meredith |date=16 November 2022 |title=Paris 2024 Olympics mascot mocked for resembling 'giant clitorises' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/paris-olympics-2024-mascot-hat-clitoris-b2226664.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211211939/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/paris-olympics-2024-mascot-hat-clitoris-b2226664.html |archive-date=11 December 2023 |access-date=6 August 2024 |website=The Independent |language=en}}
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."{{Cite web |date=14 November 2022 |title=Paris 2024 Olympic, Paralympic mascots unveiled |url=https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2022/11/14/paris-2024-olympic-paralympic-mascots |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604151714/https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2022/11/14/paris-2024-olympic-paralympic-mascots/ |archive-date=4 June 2023 |access-date=14 November 2022 |publisher=NBC Sports}}
Intellectual property and merchandising
The IOC maintains exclusive ownership and control of the use of Olympic Symbols through an international treaty, the Nairobi Treaty on the Protection of the Olympic Symbol.{{Cite web |title=Nairobi Treaty on the Protection of the Olympic Symbol |url=https://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/ip/nairobi/ |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=www.wipo.int |language=en}}
The mascots are not to be used freely and generate revenues from granting exclusive rights, such as worldwide marking to commercial partners. IP protected assets of the Olympic Games properties come in different forms, such as:{{Cite web |title=Olympic Games – The Design |url=https://www.theolympicdesign.com |access-date=2024-09-10 |website=theolympicdesign – Olympic Design Webseite! |language=en-US}}
- Trademark of the Olympic Phryge : The Paris 2024 mascots are registered trademarks in France under the names “La Phryge Olympique" and "La Phryge Paralympique”.{{Cite web |title=Global Brand Database |url=https://branddb.wipo.int/en/similarname/results?sort=score%20desc&start=0&rows=30&asStructure=%7B%22_id%22:%22e5c6%22,%22boolean%22:%22AND%22,%22bricks%22:%5B%7B%22_id%22:%22e5c7%22,%22key%22:%22brandName%22,%22value%22:%22La%20Phryge%20Olympique%22,%22strategy%22:%22Simple%22%7D%5D%7D&_=1725927142129&fg=_void_ |access-date=2024-09-10 |website=branddb.wipo.int}}{{Cite news |title=Protection de la marque |url=https://medias.paris2024.org/uploads/2022/02/Paris2024_20220202_Brand_Protection_Final_compressed.pdf}}
- Design of the Phryges : The shapes of the Olympic Phryges fall under design rights.{{Cite web |title=The Phryges – Paris 2024 Mascots Star as Olympic Merchandise |url=https://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine_digital/en/2024/article_0014.html |access-date=2024-09-10 |website=www.wipo.int |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=HFG |date=2024-08-06 |title=Overview of IP in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games |url=https://www.hfgip.com/news/overview-ip-paris-2024-olympic-games |access-date=2024-09-10 |website=www.hfgip.com |language=en}} The Hague System safeguards the design of the Phryges internationally to prevent infringements.
Doudou & Compagnie announced a sale of over one million Phryge plush toys, with projections indicating a reach of 1.3 million units by the end of the sales cycle.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-02 |title=Sales of the Paris Olympics mascot exceed all expectations and break records - We Are Wearside |url=https://wearewearside.com/2024/09/02/sales-of-the-paris-olympics-mascot-exceed-all-expectations-and-break-records/ |access-date=2024-09-02 |language=en-US}} The Olympic and Paralympic Phryge mascots were present on more than 150 merchandise items in the Olympic online shop alone.{{Cite web |title=The Phryges – Paris 2024 Mascots Star as Olympic Merchandise |url=https://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine_digital/en/2024/article_0014.html |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=www.wipo.int |language=en}} Condoms featuring images of the Phryges were produced as well.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-30 |title=What is that? Olympic Phryge confounds some, but is very French |url=https://apnews.com/article/olympics-2024-mascot-phryge-fc8cb4d6fc1bd9c61b13a5c57f079ddf |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=AP News |language=en}}
The revenues{{Cite web |date=2024 |title=Olympic Marketing Fact File 23024 Edition |url=https://stillmed.olympics.com/media/Documents/International-Olympic-Committee/IOC-Marketing-And-Broadcasting/IOC-Marketing-Fact-File.pdf |website=stillmed.olympics.com}} generated through the IOC’s use of IP rights are redistributed across the Olympic Movement to individual athletes, Organising Committees, NOCs, International Sports Federations and other sports organizations.{{Cite web |title=The IP journey of an Olympic Games |url=https://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2019/03/article_0007.html |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=www.wipo.int |language=en}}
Reception
In France, criticisms have been made about most of the toy replicas of the mascot being made in China.{{Cite web |date=14 November 2022 |title=Phrygian cap symbolising French republic chosen as 2024 Paris Olympics mascot |url=https://www.france24.com/en/sport/20221114-phrygian-cap-symbolising-french-republic-chosen-as-2024-paris-olympic-mascot |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210111949/https://www.france24.com/en/sport/20221114-phrygian-cap-symbolising-french-republic-chosen-as-2024-paris-olympic-mascot |archive-date=10 February 2024 |access-date=14 November 2022 |publisher=France 24}} Julie Matikhine, director of the Paris 2024 brand, responded that "18 percent of the stuffed toys produced by the company Doudou & Compagnie will be in Brittany," in the hope of "relocating part of the sector."{{Cite web |date=14 November 2022 |title=Made-in-China 'Phryges' toys are surprise mascots for Paris Olympics 2024 |url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/sports/20221114-made-in-china-phryges-toys-surprise-mascots-for-paris-olympics-2024-sports-business-french-revolution-history |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726132544/https://www.rfi.fr/en/sports/20221114-made-in-china-phryges-toys-surprise-mascots-for-paris-olympics-2024-sports-business-french-revolution-history |archive-date=26 July 2023 |access-date=14 November 2022 |publisher=Radio France International}}
The Phryges have been likened to a giant "clitoris in trainers",{{Cite web |last=Chrisafis |first=Angelique |date=15 November 2022 |title=Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games mascots likened to 'clitoris in trainers' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/nov/15/mascot-paris-olympic-games-2024-likened-to-clitoris-in-trainers-phryges |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805050728/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/nov/15/mascot-paris-olympic-games-2024-likened-to-clitoris-in-trainers-phryges |archive-date=5 August 2024 |access-date=15 November 2022 |newspaper=The Guardian}} and have been nicknamed {{lang|fr|le clito national}} (the national clitoris) by French netizens. The French newspaper Libération hailed it as a revolutionary departure from the traditional phallic architecture of the Eiffel Tower.{{Cite web |last=Girard |first=Quentin |date=14 November 2022 |title=JO 2024 : vive les Phryges, les mascottes clitoris qui en mettent plein la vulve |url=https://www.liberation.fr/sports/jo-2024-vive-les-phryges-les-mascottes-clitoris-qui-en-mettent-plein-la-vulve-20221114_QE3ICJC3ZZCYTLIZJYDCEBQXTQ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806070841/https://www.liberation.fr/sports/jo-2024-vive-les-phryges-les-mascottes-clitoris-qui-en-mettent-plein-la-vulve-20221114_QE3ICJC3ZZCYTLIZJYDCEBQXTQ/ |archive-date=6 August 2024 |access-date=14 November 2022 |publisher=Libération}} Foreigners have been noted to compare the Phryges to the poop emoji or a tongue.
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Official website|https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/the-games/the-brand/mascots}} {{in lang|en}}
- {{Official website|https://olympics.com/fr/paris-2024/les-jeux/la-marque/mascottes}} {{in lang|fr}}
{{S-start}}
{{Succession box|title=Olympic mascot
The Olympic Phryge|before= Bing Dwen Dwen|after=Tina|years=Paris 2024}}
{{Succession box|title=Paralympic mascot
The Paralympic Phryge|before=Shuey Rhon Rhon|after=Milo|years=Paris 2024}}
{{S-end}}
{{Olympic mascots}}
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Category:2024 Summer Paralympics
Category:Mascots introduced in 2022
Category:Fictional people from Paris