06. August 2004  
Athens / Greece  
Artistic Gymnastics

Messengers of the Gods as Mascots

Mascots 'Phivos' and 'Athina'

The story of Phivos and Athina
Phivos and Athina are the mascots of the Olympic Summer Games in Athens 2004. Athina is the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom and peace as well as Athens' patron. Phivos is better known as Apollo, the god of light and music. Both are mainly coloured in blue (representing the Greek sea) and orange (referring to the Greek sun). 196 drafts had been sent to the managers of the Olympics who finally decided in favour of these siblings...

Mascots of all sizes in the Olympic Store at Athens' airport

The Greek designer Spyros Gogos developed the double-mascots in dependence on a terracotta doll (the original mascot) from the seventh century before Christ.
This doll was already stored forgotten on the first floor of the Archaeological National Museum in Athens, before it unexpectedly shoot to fame. Since the presentation of the mascots in Athens, the doll received quickly a place of honour in the basement of the museum.
Hans Teklenburg (NED) of the company Janssen-Fritsen and Sawao Kato (JPN), member of the Technical Committee of the World Gymnastics Federation, together with both Olympic mascots after the completion and inspection of the Olympic apparatus on the podium in the competition arena.

Translation:
Florian Schmid-Sorg