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Why a hat is the mascot for the 2024 Paris Olympics
At first glance, the mascot for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games may look like a red triangle with arms, but it’s actually a Phrygian cap — a symbol of freedom in France’s history.
The mascot for both the Olympics and Paralympics was announced in 2022 with a mission of showing the world “that sport can change everything and that it deserves to have a central role in society,” according to the Olympics website.
“We wanted mascots that would embody our vision and be able to share it with the French people and the world,” 2024 Paris Games President Tony Estanguet said at the launch. “Rather than an animal, our mascots represent an ideal. The Phrygian cap is a symbol of liberty. Since it is familiar to us and appears on our stamps and the pediments of our town halls, it also represents French identity and spirit.”
The Phryges, pronounced “free-jes,” are also meant to encourage people to get active.
Where did the Phrygian cap come from?
The Phrygian cap was worn in present-day Turkey as early as 800 B.C., according to Architect of the Capitol. It was viewed as a mark of free men in classical Greece, where freed slaves wore the hat.
The peaked red hat has been a part of French history for centuries and was widely popularized by French revolutionaries, donned during the French Revolution of 1789. It can be seen on busts of Marianne, a woman considered “the embodiment of the French Republic,” according to Olympics organizers.
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The caps were worn when Paris’ Notre-Dame cathedral was being built in 1163, according to the Olympics. Workers building the Eiffel Tower also wore the red hats.
Phrygian caps also made their way to the U.S., according to Architect of the Capitol, the hat appeared in images from the American Revolution. It was used in early 19th century American art and coins.
The Olympic and Paralympic Phryge
The official Olympic website describes the mascot as a thoughtful and astute strategist.
“Just like the Olympic athletes, she knows the importance of measuring all the various parameters to achieve her goals. With her sharp mind, she is modest and prefers to hide her emotions,” the website description reads. “The Olympic Phryge will lead the movement of all those who take part in sport, and believe us, she will give her all to get France moving!”
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A version of the mascot for the Paralympics has a running prosthetic.
“Her passion is to blaze a trail; some might say she is fearless, which might be true, but one thing is certain: she hates being bored and loves to try new things,” the website description reads. “No matter the sport, and regardless of whether she competes as part of a team or on her own, she is always game to play.”
What are past Olympic mascots?
The mascots chosen for the Olympic and Paralympic games each year are considered ambassadors embodying the spirit of the Olympics, according to the Olympics. They’ve been around since the 1968 Games, when the Winter Games were hosted in Grenoble, France. The first mascot was a little man, named Shuss, on skis. While the Paris mascot was chosen well in advance, Shuss was designed in a hurry — his designer had just one night to prepare a submission.
The 1972 Munich Games featured Waldi, a dachshund. Waldi was the first mascot in the history of the Olympic Summer Games.
Since then, there’s been Schneemandl the snowman, Amik the beaver, Sam the eagle, Hodori the tiger and Bing Dwen Dwen, among other characters.
“They’re tasked with giving concrete form to the Olympic spirit, spreading the values highlighted at each edition of the Games; promoting the history and culture of the host city; and giving the event a festive atmosphere,” according to the Olympics.
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While another Federal Reserve rate cut issued this week won’t be great for savers accustomed to earning high returns on their money, it will provide another boost to borrowers. Whether you were considering a mortgage, a personal loan or even just a credit card, a reduction to the federal funds rate helps, even if the amount of assistance will vary depending on the product.
One way it will help, perhaps in a significant fashion, however, is with home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs). Because the home serves as collateral in these borrowing exchanges, rates on both items tend to be lower than other credit options. And with rate cuts now issued twice in the last three months, they’re poised to become even less expensive.
Still, home equity borrowing comes with some inherent risks, too. And borrowers should do all they can to avoid them. As such, there are some smart home equity moves to make now that the Fed has cut rates again. Below, we’ll break down four of them.
Start by seeing what home equity loan rate you could qualify for here.
4 smart home equity moves to make now that the Fed cut rates again
Rate cuts offer prospective home equity borrowers a unique chance to capitalize on their accumulated home equity, but they should approach this chance in a strategic and nuanced way. Specifically, they should consider the following moves now:
Monitor certain dates
If you opened a home equity loan at the start of this week and didn’t wait for the Fed to take action then you likely made a mistake. While the difference in rates over a few days was likely minor, every little bit helps, particularly when spread over an extended repayment period. It’s critical to monitor certain dates — like those surrounding a Fed rate cut or the next inflation report release — for opportunities to capitalize and to lock in a below-average rate. Fortunately, there are multiple upcoming dates in which borrowers can take advantage. But this will require a proactive approach and you’ll need to have your documentation ready and credit score in top shape to truly take advantage.
Explore your current home equity borrowing options online today.
Consider a HELOC over a home equity loan
A HELOC has a variable interest rate subject to drop now that the Fed has embarked on its new rate-cutting campaign. A home equity loan, meanwhile, has a fixed interest rate that will need to be refinanced in the future to exploit any rate declines. In today’s evolving rate climate, then, it’s worth considering a HELOC over a home equity loan, even if the latter’s current rate is slightly better than the former. Plus, HELOC rates will change independently each month on their own while home equity loan borrowers will need to pay closing costs to refinance their rates.
Don’t overborrow
It’s been a long time since rates were cut (September’s reduction was the first in more than four years). So it can be tempting to overborrow now that rates appear to be moving in the right direction. But that’s always a mistake, particularly when using your home equity. So avoid that temptation and crunch the numbers to make sure you’re only borrowing an amount that you can easily afford to repay.
Open it before the end of the year
Not sure if you should wait for home equity rates to fall further into 2025? If you’re planning on using the home equity for a home improvement project, you may want to open it before the end of the year, even with the possibility of additional rate cuts high right now. That’s because the interest on both home equity loans and HELOCs is tax-deductible if used for qualifying home repairs. If you wait until 2025, however, you’ll postpone this critical tax deduction until it comes time to file your return again in 2026. So consider opening it now, then, to position yourself for potential (and immediate) tax relief.
Learn more about your home equity loan options here.
The bottom line
Now could be a great time to access your home equity, with two rate cuts already issued this year and others likely in the near future. Borrowers should still take a smart approach, however. That involves monitoring certain calendar dates for opportunities to capitalize on a lower rate, considering a HELOC over a home equity loan, not overborrowing and opening it at the right time to potentially qualify for some specific tax benefits. By making these four smart home equity moves now, borrowers can better position themselves for financial success both in today’s cooling rate climate and over the full repayment period.
