Paris 2024 Olympics: What are the Phryges, the iconic mascots of the Games?

By Nischal Schwager-Patel
1 min|
The Olympic mascot, Phryge on display in the Paris 2024 megastore on the Champs Elysees.
Picture by 2024 Getty Images

You will have seen the official mascot of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 everywhere. But what actually is it?

The Paris 2024 mascots are called the Phryges, based on the traditional Phrygian hats that serve as a symbol for freedom.

These hats are seen everywhere in French culture and everyday life, from paintings to stamps, town halls to coins, the French Republic to the modern day. They are a symbol of French history and values, the perfect representation for their home Games.

Our two heroes

The Olympic Phryge is in the shape of one of the traditional Phrygian caps, bright red with a French tricolour trim of blue, white and red. The Paralympic Phryge takes the same form but with a jumping blade, like the one used by Paralympic athletes.

The Phrygian cap has been a powerful symbol throughout history, representing the French fight for freedom through revolution, the establishment of Bastille Day as their national day on 14 July, and of course, the core French values: Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity).

Now, in 2024, the Phryges take on new symbolism for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in Paris.

Let the Games begin!