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Kota Kinabalu: The 2024 Olympics mascots hold strong to the host country’s values and beliefs.

On November 14, 2022, Paris Olympics president Tony Estanguet announced the Phryges, traditional French hats, as the mascots of the Games.

They carry a mission: to lead a mission of revolution through sport.

National Geographic said the Smiley Phryge, a representation of the Phrygian cap, is based on similar caps worn by 18th-century French revolutionaries, who saw it as a symbol of freedom. 

"For many years afterwards, the Phrygian cap appeared in paintings, illustrations and on statues of Marianne… this 3,000-year-old humble piece of headwear is set to adorn t-shirts, keychains, and plush toys," said National Geographic.

The Paralympic Phryge takes the same form but features a jumping blade, like the one used by Paralympic athletes.

"The fact that the Paralympics mascot has a visible disability also sends a strong message: to promote inclusion," the tournament's website writes.

Compared to most previous Paralympic Games mascots, the Phryge stands out with a visible disability (a prosthetic leg), portraying a detailed design process.

The choosing of the Paris 2024 mascots drew from the assertiveness of revolutionary times.