Animals Disappeared? The Special Secret Behind Emblems and Mascots [Paris Olympics]

First Female Face Symbolizes Olympic and Paralympic Games
Hat-Wearing 'Freeju' with Prosthetic Leg in Sneakers
Promoting Values of 'Equality and Freedom'

Paralympic mascot Freeju jumping with the Eiffel Tower in Paris in the background
[Image source=AFP·Yonhap News]

The 2024 Paris Olympics is delivering a message of 'equality.' Major events are being held at city landmarks and historic sites so that everyone can enjoy the Olympics without discrimination, and for the first time in history, the gender ratio of participating athletes has been equalized. The aim is to create a 'completely open Games' emphasizing gender equality and inclusion. The emblem and mascot symbolizing the Olympics also carry the message of 'equality' they pursue.

The Face of Marianne, Symbol of the 'French Revolution'

The Paris Olympics is the first in history to use the same emblem for both the Olympics and the Paralympics (Olympic Games for athletes with physical and sensory disabilities). While similar emblems have been used before, this is the first time in 64 years since the Paralympics began in 1960 that the same emblem is used. Royaltyse, the designer of the emblem, explained the special meaning, saying, "For the first time in history, a 'female face' simultaneously symbolizes both the Olympics and the Paralympics."

Typically, Olympic emblems include animals or symbolic elements of the host city, but the 2024 Paris Olympic emblem features the face of a goddess. The face is that of Marianne, the symbol of the French Revolution, and the flame shape represents the Olympic torch. The gold color symbolizes the gold medal. The design was inspired by 'Art Deco,' an artistic style popular from the 1920s to 1940s.

2024 Paris Olympic Emblem (left) 2024 Paris Paralympic Emblem [Photo by IOC, Official Website of the 2024 Paris Olympics]

Marianne led the French Revolution from May 1789 to November 1799. She appears in 'Liberty Leading the People,' a painting by French artist Eug?ne Delacroix from 1830. In the painting, Marianne wears a Phrygian cap on her head, holds the French flag (Tricolor) in her right hand, and a rifle in her left, leading the people. Her face is familiar in French culture, engraved on postage stamps and city hall buildings. She symbolizes the French values of liberty, equality, and fraternity, and also represents 'freedom and womanhood.'

France’s depiction of Marianne’s face on the Olympic emblem is also connected to the message of gender equality. Women first participated in the Olympics in history at the 1900 Paris Olympics. At that time, only 22 women (2.2%) out of 997 athletes competed, but at the 2024 Paris Olympics held 124 years later, women and men will participate in equal numbers.

The Red Cap ‘Phrygian’ That’s Sold Out Everywhere

Olympic mascots are created reflecting the history and culture of the host city, and animal mascots have generally been very popular. The first animal Olympic mascot was the 'Red Jaguar' of the 1968 Mexico Olympics. The 1972 Munich Olympics featured the dachshund 'Waldi,' and the 1988 Seoul Olympics saw the popular tiger 'Hodori.' The bear 'Misha' from the 1980 Moscow Olympics is considered one of the most memorable mascots.

This time, the Paris Olympic mascot is a 'hat.' The mascot 'Phryge,' personifying a hat, expresses the values and symbols France pursues. Tony Estanguet, Chair of the Paris Olympic Organizing Committee, said about the mascot Phryge, "We chose an 'ideal' rather than an animal." Phryge is inspired by the Phrygian cap, a symbol of freedom and a reflection of the French spirit. It was a cap worn by freed slaves in ancient Rome to gain free citizen status and was worn by the citizen militia during the French Revolution.

Paris Olympic mascot Phryge (left) and Paris Paralympic mascot Phryge
[Photo by AFP·Yonhap News]

Phryge is characterized by wearing sneakers. Although its shape was initially met with some criticism as strange when first revealed in November 2022, it is now gaining great popularity at the Paris Olympics, with Phryge doll merchandise selling like hotcakes. The merchandise dolls are handmade by the French brand 'Doudou et Compagnie,' with only 500,000 produced in total.

The mascot for the 2024 Paris Paralympics, opening on the 28th of next month, is also Phryge. However, reflecting the Paralympic characteristics, it is depicted wearing a prosthetic leg (blade) on one foot. There is also a Phryge in a wheelchair. This symbolizes that people with disabilities are also members of society. The Paris Olympics even showed a fashion model confidently walking with a prosthetic leg during the opening ceremony.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.