PARIS (AP) — “Is it the Eiffel Tower?” asks a puzzled American tourist in line at the Paris 2024 Megastore. To international visitors, the triangular Olympic Phryge mascot could resemble the iconic monument, a “poop emoji,” a tongue, or even, well, female anatomy. Yet, for the French, it evokes something deeply historical.
For over two centuries, the “bonnet phrygien” was a staple on Parisian streets. This hat, radiating the same revolutionary spirit it did in 1789, is the inspiration for the official Olympic Phryge mascot. The Phrygian cap, embraced by French revolutionaries and revived from Roman times when freed slaves wore it, symbolizes freedom and emancipation.
The legacy of the French Revolution and the birth of the 1st Republic profoundly impacted the French, who now link the Phrygian cap—and thus the Phryge, pronounced “freezh”—with ideals of liberty. “It’s the symbol of liberty and a very strong message linked to the revolution that we want for these Games,” declared Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 organizing committee.
Making its presence felt across France, the Phryge is a respected figure this time. Life-sized Phryges are appearing at Olympic venues where fans eagerly line up for photos. These mascots have visited renowned French monuments and have even posed with foreign police officers.
The Olympic mascot is omnipresent at the Games—and especially in the Paris 2024 official stores. It decorates mugs, caps, T-shirts, keyrings, and more. Within 15 minutes of the Megastore’s opening on the Champs-Élysées, tourists rush to grab souvenirs.
Some, like Kevin Cahill, are brimming with enthusiasm, eager to buy “everything, everything because I’m very excited to be here.” Although he admits he’s unaware of the mascot’s symbolism, he finds it “amazing.” This excitement resonates with many others, such as Pierre Leonardi, who dons the Phrygian hat in memory of France.
However, not everyone is convinced by the mascot’s unusual appearance. Historical symbolism seemed overshadowed by its likeness to a clitoris. “We’ve published a new guide to the anatomy of the clitoris!” posted the U.K.’s Vagina Museum, along with an updated guide including images of the Phryge. Fittingly, condoms featuring the Olympics logo prominently display the Phryge with a megaphone: “Score a win: Yes to consent, no to STDs.”
Whether or not the mascot’s intent is clear, tourists at the Megastore ensure the Olympic Phryge will journey around the world. A spectator, wearing an Olympic mascot hat, watches a beach volleyball match in Paris, capping the presence of Phryge at the Games.
