The Late Skimm: What in the World Is a Phryge?

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What in the World Is a Phryge?

It has to be asked: Why are the Olympic mascots always so chaotic? In case you haven’t had the, hm, distinct pleasure of meeting the Olympic Phryge and the Paralympic Phryge, allow us to introduce you to the official mascots of the Paris Games. While the Phryges (pronounced fri-jee-uhs) have drawn comparisons to “a pair of disembodied tongues,” “clitorises with smiley faces,” and “a French version of Gumby,” they’re actually inspired by the Phrygian cap, a “symbol for the French Republic.” That’s because the floppy, cone-shaped red hats — which have also appeared on the country’s coins and stamps — were worn during the French Revolution as a symbol of freedom.

Now, to be fair, the Phryges aren’t the only deeply perplexing mascots in Olympic history. Athens had Phevos and Athena, which were meant to resemble ancient Greek dolls, but looked more like poorly drawn hybrids of Doug and Bart Simpson. Turin had Neve and Gliz, which were somehow better than the 236 other proposals. London had Wenlock and Mandeville — or, according to one writer, “phallic bugbears fitted out in foppish puffery.” And let us not forget Atlanta’s Izzy, which The Simpsons creator described as “a bad marriage of the Pillsbury Doughboy and the ugliest California Raisin.” It’s also worth noting that a poll of French people (granted, the poll seems to have been commissioned by Paris 2024) found that 75% of adult respondents liked the Phryges. Same with 83% of children ages 6 to 17. Guess we just don’t understand that je ne sais quoi.

Related: Gymnastics uniforms and equipment have come a long way (Self)

Meanwhile, On The Internet

🏅 Don’t mind us, we’ll just be watching Simone Biles’s vault on repeat. You’re welcome.

📖 Melania Trump didn’t have much to say at last week’s Republican National Convention. But maybe she’s saving it all for her new memoir.

🥤 Forget, dirty soda — TikTok is all about “fluffy Coke” now. Apologies to dentists everywhere.

👀 Doping is once again making headlines at the Olympics. And, ICYMI, Canada’s “spygate” wasn’t the only soccer scandal this week.

🥳 JLo celebrated her 55th birthday with a Bridgerton-themed party. Hope she played the instrumental version of “Jenny from the Block.”

The Final Countdown

On your marks, get set, watch. NBC Olympics coverage begins tomorrow on NBC and Peacock at 7:30/6:30c.*

Well Played

Ever find yourself wondering about the Swiftie effect on NFL fandom? Or the Bravofication of pro basketball? Introducing Well Played, a sports podcast that keeps you up to date on the sports stories dominating your feeds, minus the ESPN talking heads in blazers. Listen to our first episode for an Olympic preview, a Q&A with 11-time Olympic medalist Allyson Felix, and a conversation with Olympic bronze medalist and former member of the USWNT Sam Mewis. Then tap “follow” wherever you get your podcasts.