As it is proved, once more, by the fine Olympic Opening celebration last night, Greeks still have a good sense of beauty. Considering this a fact, it is easy to understand that they weren’t really excited when they first saw their Olympic Mascots. I was one of these disappointed Greeks and I couldn’t see how it is possible the same people who had the inspiration for the fine logo of the Games could create «these roughly-cut artifacts»! But only until yesterday, when a flash stroke me and I remembered few of the previews mascots to realize that they are not that bad after all.

First of all, I made a fast research to check what all this mascot thing is about. Well, I found some basics, as for example that the word «mascot» goes back to 1867 and is derived from the provincial French «mascoto» (1850), derived from masco – magician, witch – which comes from old provencal «masco» (1396) of pre-Roman origin. It all started at 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble with the little doll looking skier «Schuss» and since then it became an institution. I couldn’t discover its real reason of existence but it seems that they are supposed to be the kid-friendly version of the olympic ideals into a unique form-symbol of the city hosting the games.

align="right" alt="Ancient Greek doll of the 7th century B.C." border="0" />A first look doesn’t really convince us about its unique connection with Greece or Athens apart from the names. But knowledge illuminates us! We got a hint at the opening yesterday for a moment about the inspiration of these games mascots, too, as a girl of the geometrical era kept the original terra cotta doll and Athena. But let me explain. The mascots are based on an ancient Greek terra cotta doll of the 7th century B.C. and their names are Athena of the ancient goddess of wisdom and protectress of the city of Athens and Phevos of the god of light and music.

«All understood, all forgiven» is usually said by my beloved French and now I know I see these two dolls with new eyes. But it isn’t absolutely necessary if one makes a short look at the previous mascots prove that they are not that ugly after all. You may find more info about the olympic mascots from the site of the International Olympic Memorabilia Federation and from Athens 2004 you may find more about Athena and Phevos