How the Olympics Mascot Went From Bizarre to Beloved

Phryge, the mascot of the Paris Games, has come to symbolize the transformation of France’s perception of the Games from an unwanted nuisance to an unqualified triumph.Don’t miss a moment at the Paris Olympics. Sign up for our daily email to receive the biggest highlights, the latest medal count and the stories you won't see on TV.

Some think it’s a cross between the Eiffel Tower and a beret. Others see it as a goofy, red French Smurf. Most people can’t even pronounce its name.

It’s Phryge (pronounced freej), the official mascot of the Paris Olympics. Mocked by the French when it was unveiled, it has become the hottest-selling item in town — and a symbol of the transformation of France’s…