Phevos and Athena: The Mascot of the Olympic Games 2004
Already from the moment Athens assumed the organization of the 28th Olympic Games there were discussions regarding what would be the mascot of the Games. The general view was that it should have a "Greek scent", but also embody, in a way, the Olympic ideals. After a competition, Phevos and Athena were selected, two figures inspired by Greek antiquity. More specifically they were a combination of types of ancient Greek dolls, with their closest model the one of the bell-shaped doll. These dolls were called "daidala" and, besides being toys for children, they were also used religiously.
We should note that it was the first time that the mascot of the Games represented human beings and not personified animals. In this way the anthropocentric character of the Games was emphasized. The names selected were directly related with Greek mythology and have intense symbolic character. In ancient antiquity Phevos-Apollo was considered the god of light and music, while his sister Athena, goddess of wisdom and protector of Athens.
Phevos and Athena depict two children -brother and sister- making in this way an indirect reference to brotherhood, that should relate all athletes, but also all people in the world. Besides, childhood and the children's participation in the game for the sake of the joy of the game and not necessarily for victory alone is a direct reference to the Olympic ideal, where the important thing is participation itself.