What is the Olympic mascot? Explaining 'Phryge' and the meaning behind quirky 2024 Paris character

Everything is better when a fun, unique mascot is involved.

Would the Pop-Tarts Bowl have been nearly as interesting if a Pop-Tart mascot didn't lower itself into a toaster and get eaten by the players? Would Syracuse sports be as fun without Otto the Orange roaming around? 

The Olympics embraced the call by unveiling Phryge in 2022. Phryge will be all over Paris as the Olympic games play out, but how many around the globe actually know what it is? 

Here's what you need to know about Phryge and what the red blob-like character represents at the 2024 Olympics.

MORE: Event schedule for Paris Olympics

What is the Olympic mascot?

The official 2024 Olympic mascot is Phryge, which represents a red hat that has come to symbolize freedom and revolution in France.

The red caps were worn to symbolize freedom during the French Revolution, though they didn't originate in France. They were first worn by Iranians more than a dozen centuries ago and would become more popular when worn by freed slaves in ancient Greece. 

Phryge has enjoyed a bit of a world tour over the past few months, including a skateboarding appearance in Shanghai. 

Phryge had the time of his life at the OQSeries in Shanghai.

Break, climb, skate, ride. He did it all! His next stop? Budapest in June for stop 2 ahead of the Olympics!#OlympicQualifierSeries #Shanghai2024 | #OlympicQualifiers | #Paris2024 | @Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/gMACJccsVV

— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) May 19, 2024

🏆🇫🇷 3️⃣0️⃣ days before the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, our mascot takes over New York City…

Can you guess where this photo was taken?#paris2024 #roadtoparis2024 #olympics #paralympics #FranceInNewYork #franceinnyc #franceintheus #Games #phryge@paris2024 pic.twitter.com/yGtCPR4NsB

— Consulate of France in New York (@franceinnyc) June 26, 2024

The #Paris2024 mascot, Olympic Phryge, has just flown in from Paris✈️🇫🇷 Inspired by the Phrygian hat symbolizing freedom, it's now exploring Latvian cities! While we can't promise Phryge on your next flight, you can join the Olympic excitement by flying to Paris with us:… pic.twitter.com/UNLz5WwpmS

— airBaltic (@airBaltic) July 4, 2024

There are multiple Phryge mascots. One is the Olympic mascot, while the other is the Paralympic mascot. Paralympic Phryge has a prosthetic right leg. 

The Phryge mascots were created by designer Gilles Deleris and unveiled on Nov. 14, 2022. The president of the Paris 2024 organizing committee said the committee "chose an ideal rather than an animal" because the cap is a symbol of freedom with strong connections to France's history. 

Why is the Olympic mascot named Phryge?

Phryge is named after the Phrygian Cap. The cap adopted the name because the freed slaves who wore it were in Phrygia, a kingdom in ancient Greece that is now located in modern-day Turkey. 

So, while Phryge might look like a red blob, he is not a blob. If he were a blob, though, he wouldn't be the first. Xavier University has a secondary mascot named "The Blue Blob," while Western Kentucky University has a beloved blob-liked mascot named Big Red. 

But make no mistake — Phryge originates from the concepts of revolution and freedom that are central to France's culture.

MORE: Breaking down the Olympics' Seine River controversy

Olympics mascot history

The Summer Olympics have deployed official mascots since 1972 when an illustration of a Dachshund was used to promote the games in Munich.

Here's a complete look at what each Summer Olympics host has chosen as its mascot: