The Phryges (French: [fʁiʒ]) are the official mascots of the 2024 Summer Olympics and 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris.[1] They are anthropomorphic Phrygian caps, a French symbol of liberty.
| The Phryges | |
|---|---|
 Official artwork of the Olympic Phryge (left) and the Paralympic Phryge (right) | |
| Created by | Jules DuBost and Gilles Deberis |
| In-universe information | |
| Nationality | French |
History
editBackground
edit
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]
The Phryges were designed by Gilles Deleris[5] and Jules Dubost.[6]
Unveiling
editOn 14 November 2022, with the reveal of the Paris 2024 mascot, they were advertised as "sporty, party-loving and so French."[7] 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."[8]
Characteristics
editThe 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][9][10] The Olympic Phryge has two blue sneakers, while the Paralympic Phryge wears a prosthesis and a red sneaker on the other leg.[9][11]
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."[12]
Intellectual property and merchandising
editThe 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.[13]
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:[14]
- Trademark of the Olympic Phryge : The Paris 2024 mascots are registered trademarks in France under the names “La Phryge Olympique" and "La Phryge Paralympique”.[13][15][16]
- Design of the Phryges : The shapes of the Olympic Phryges fall under design rights.[17][18] 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.[19] The Olympic and Paralympic Phryge mascots were present on more than 150 merchandise items in the Olympic online shop alone.[20] Condoms featuring images of the Phryges were produced as well.[21]
The revenues[22] 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.[23]
Reception
editIn France, criticisms have been made about most of the toy replicas of the mascot being made in China.[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."[25]
The Phryges have been likened to a giant "clitoris in trainers",[26] 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 architecture of the Eiffel Tower.[27] Foreigners have been noted to compare the Phryges to the poop emoji or a tongue.[21]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "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.
- ^ "What is the Olympic mascot? Explaining 'Phryge' and the meaning behind quirky 2024 Paris character | Sporting News". www.sportingnews.com. 2024-07-26. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
- ^ "Character Designer Freelance France". artofjulo. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "Nairobi Treaty on the Protection of the Olympic Symbol". www.wipo.int. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
- ^ "Olympic Games – The Design". theolympicdesign – Olympic Design Webseite!. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
- ^ "Global Brand Database". branddb.wipo.int. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
- ^ "Protection de la marque" (PDF).
- ^ "The Phryges – Paris 2024 Mascots Star as Olympic Merchandise". www.wipo.int. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
- ^ HFG (2024-08-06). "Overview of IP in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games". www.hfgip.com. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
- ^ "Sales of the Paris Olympics mascot exceed all expectations and break records - We Are Wearside". 2024-09-02. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
- ^ "The Phryges – Paris 2024 Mascots Star as Olympic Merchandise". www.wipo.int. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
- ^ a b "What is that? Olympic Phryge confounds some, but is very French". AP News. 2024-07-30. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
- ^ "Olympic Marketing Fact File 23024 Edition" (PDF). stillmed.olympics.com. 2024.
- ^ "The IP journey of an Olympic Games". www.wipo.int. Retrieved 2024-08-20.
- ^ "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
edit
- Official website (in English)
- Official website (in French)
