What is that? Olympic Phryge confounds some, but is very French

PARIS (AP) — “Is it the Eiffel Tower?” asks a puzzled American tourist queued in front of the Paris 2024 Megastore.

To international visitors, the triangular Olympic Phryge mascot might resemble the iconic monument, a “poop emoji” — that's according to another shopper, a tongue or even, well, female anatomy. However, it rings a particular bell for the French.

It’s been over 200 years since the “bonnet phrygien” was last a common sight in the streets of Paris. Yet, the hat still carries the same revolutionary spirit it first did in 1789.

The official Olympic Phryge mascot is a nod to the Phrygian cap, an emblematic accessory of the French revolutionaries. Revived from Roman times, when freed slaves used to wear it, the revolutionaries adopted it as a testimony to their values of freedom and emancipation for both men and women.

The heritage of the French Revolution and the birth of the 1st Republic have deeply influenced the French, who now associate the Phrygian cap — and subsequently the Phryge (pronounced along the lines of “freezh”) — with its ideals.

“It’s the symbol of liberty, and it’s also a very strong message linked to the revolution that we want for those games,” declared Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 organizing committee, before the Games.

Showing a little more respect for French authorities this time, the Phryge is making its presence felt across France. Life-sized Phryges have been popping up at Olympic venues, where fans wait in line to take pictures with them. They've visited famous French monuments and even posed with foreign police officers.

The Olympic mascot is all over the Games — and, of course, the Paris 2024 official stores. It adorns mugs, caps, T-shirts, key rings and more. Within just 15 minutes of the Megastore’s opening Monday on the Champs-Élysées, tourists are already hastily lining up to snag some souvenirs.

Some, such as Kevin Cahill, brim with enthusiasm at the idea of buying “everything, everything because I’m very excited to be here.” Even though he admits he doesn't know the mascot’s symbolism, he describes it as “amazing.”

His excitement mirrors that of many others, as seen with Pierre Leonardi, who's sporting the Phrygian hat: “I wanted to wear this one today, in memory of France.”

However, not everyone is convinced by the incongruous appearance of the mascot. Before the Games, the historical symbol seemed overshadowed by its apparent resemblance 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 to the organ that includes images of the Phryge. Somewhat appropriately, condoms bearing the Olympics logo prominently feature the Phryge with a megaphone: “Score a win: Yes to consent, no to STDs.”

Whether or not the true intent of the mascot is clear to them, the tourists at the Megastore are ensuring the Olympic Phryge will make its way around the world.

Associated Press journalist Megan Janetsky contributed reporting from Paris.

For more coverage of the Paris Olympics, visit https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games.

The Olympics 2024 mascot walks at the South Paris Arena during the women's handball matches at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

The mascot for the Olympics greets fans prior to the women's Group A soccer match between Canada and New Zealand at Geoffroy-Guichard stadium during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Saint-Etienne, France. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

Olympic Phrygem, the Olympic mascot, visits the North Paris Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/John Locher)

A fan takes a photo of a stuffed mascot in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

The surfing team from France stand with dancers and the mascot during an opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics surfing competition Friday, July 26, 2024, in Papara, Tahiti. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Olympic Phrygem, the Olympic mascot, is seen ahead of a women's Water Polo Group B preliminary match between Spain and France at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

A spectator wearing an Olympic mascot hat watches a beach volleyball match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Phryge, the Olympics 2024 mascot dances at the South Paris Arena, during the men's handball match between Denmark and Egypt at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)

Spectators pose with the Olympic Phryge, the mascot, ahead of rowing competitions at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Vaires-sur-Marne, France. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Phryge, the mascot of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games poses for a selfie with fans prior to a women's group B soccer match between Zambia and Australia at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Nice, France. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

The Olympic Phryge, left, the mascot, poses with Mamadou Yero Diallo in Paris, France, ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

UConn coach Geno Auriemma moved into a tie with Tara VanDerveer for the most appearances with one school in the women’s basketball AP Top 25 as the Huskies remained seventh in the poll Monday.

Auriemma has now led UConn to 627 appearances in the poll in his 40 years at the school, matching VanDerveer’s mark at Stanford before her retirement. She also had Ohio State ranked 27 times when the Hall of Fame coach was in charge of that school before joining the Cardinal and holds the overall record by a coach for appearances in the poll.

Auriemma passed VanDerveer’s NCAA record career win total earlier in the season and has 1,224 victories now after his team routed Providence on Sunday.

After a week where many schools played only a single game, UCLA, South Carolina and Notre Dame remained the top three teams and the first 18 schools were unchanged. The Bruins, Gamecocks and Irish all had routs in their lone games of the week, winning by an average of nearly 41 points. Every school in the country was off last week until Friday — a chance to recharge for the three-month sprint to the NCAA Tournament.

UCLA received 30 of the 32 first-place votes from a national media panel. South Carolina and Notre Dame each garnered one. USC, Texas and LSU followed Notre Dame. Maryland was eighth, finally putting away Michigan State to remain unbeaten with the 72-66 victory on Sunday.

Oklahoma and Ohio State rounded out the first 10 teams. The Sooners have a busy week ahead with games against rival Texas and No. 15 Tennessee on the road. It's the first SEC road test for Oklahoma and could prove to be a high-scoring game.

Michigan State dropped two spots to No. 21 after falling to Maryland, which moved Alabama and California both up a spot. Michigan's loss at USC dropped the Wolverines one place to 24th with Iowa moving up to 23rd.

South Carolina extended its home winning streak to 65 games with a victory over Wofford on Sunday. The Gamecocks are four victories short of making the top five all-time home streaks. Baylor, UConn and Tennessee all won 69 straight games at home to tie for the fourth longest all-time in Division I history. The Huskies hold the top two marks with 99 and 98-game runs. Stanford is third (82).

The Southeastern Conference finished off 2024 with eight teams in the poll for the second consecutive week to lead the way. The Big Ten is next with seven. The ACC has six while the Big 12 has three and the Big East one.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball

UConn guard Kaitlyn Chen, left, talks with UConn head coach Geno Auriemma, right, in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Southern California, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)