Paris 2024 DEI Highlights: 1:1 ratio for male to female athletes for the first time, Pride House, what does the mascot "Friggi" represent?

The 33rd Summer Olympics (2024 Summer Olympics) will be held in Paris, France from July 26 to August 11, under the slogan "Games wide open", hoping to bring people the power to open their hearts and minds through the quadrennial sports event, and no longer see differences as obstacles. Some of the projects will be opened up for the general public to participate in, in line with the goal of making the Olympics more open.

Echoing the IOC's new goals for the Olympic Games based on the three main axes of "Diversity and Inclusion, Gender Equality and Young Generation", the ambition of the Paris Olympics to create a diversity and inclusion event can be seen from the design of the torch, posters and mascots, to the gender ratio of athletes and the sports of their choice.

This article will take you to take a look at what are the DEI highlights of the 2024 Paris Olympics!

1. The first class has the same number of male and female athletes, achieving "full gender equality"

One of the most notable achievements of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics was the promotion of gender equality, with 49% of athletes being women, the most LGBTQ athletes in history, and Paris 2024 is a step further.

Since 1900, when women were first allowed to participate in the Olympic Games, the status of women on the Olympic field has gradually increased, and the IOC's reform agenda in 2014 has made gender equality a key issue, with the goal of achieving a 1:1 ratio of male to female athletes, which was achieved 10 years later at the Paris Olympics.

(Gaying at the same scene: The 2020 East Olympics set a new record for female athletes!) The ratio of men to women is expected to reach 1:1 at the Paris Olympics)

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on International Women's Day this year that Paris 2024 has created a historic record of gender equality, not only achieving a 50% gender ratio for the first time, but also planning to include 35 women among the 92 commentators, an 80% increase over the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

In addition, the Paris Olympics decided to name the streets of the Olympic Village after the outstanding women in sports and society, with the goal of highlighting the importance of women in society and increasing the visibility of women in public spaces.

Photo: Official website of the Paris Olympics

2. Diversified and friendly spaces to provide breastfeeding support for athletes

Not only in terms of the proportion of participants, but also in terms of the proportion of participants, the Paris Olympics are committed to creating a more diverse and friendly competition space for athletes. According to the relevant regulations of the Olympic Committee, children are not allowed to enter the athletes' village where athletes and coaches live during the Olympic Games, and for athletes with nursing needs, athletes will be allowed to accompany breastfeeding babies when necessary.

In this regard, the Paris Olympics officially announced that it will provide upgraded care support for lactating athletes, and use nearby hotels as spaces for athletes to breastfeed and take care of their children, making it more convenient for athletes who need to accompany their children.

Astrid Gouart, secretary general of the French Olympic Committee, noted that the aim of the change is to help athletes maintain a balance in their lives and focus entirely on the competition. He also hopes that these measures will continue, and not just for the sake of the Paris Olympics.

(Gaying in the same scene: Inventory of women's moments on the Olympic field: the German women's gymnastics team's "tightsuit revolution", the "gymnastics mother" who danced for herself!) ）

2. Olympic emblems, torches and mascots that symbolize fairness and freedom

This year's Olympic emblem is the first time that it is presented in an anthropomorphic image, symbolizing that the Olympics belong to everyone. Combining the gold medal, the flame and the symbol of freedom and reason, Goddess Mariana, it showcases the Olympic spirit and pays tribute to female athletes and history. The design of the Olympic emblem will be used until the Paralympic Games in the same year, which is also the first time in the history of the Olympic Games.

In line with this year's pioneering achievement in the ratio of male to female athletes, the Olympic torch was designed by French designer Mathieu Lehanneur, incorporating the three symbolic meanings of "fairness, water and peace" to convey the idea of "gender equality". Coincidentally, the 1900 Summer Olympics were the first to be open to women, and they were also hosted in Paris.

The Olympic mascot "Phryges" is inspired by the Phrygian caps, which symbolize freedom, and designed the "Olympic Phryge" to represent the Olympics and the "Paralimpic Phryge" to represent the Paralympic Games, respectively, with the same belief:

Exercise can change everything, including our lives, health and relationships.

3. The women's para track and field member serves as co-chair

The co-presidency of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is Marie-Amélie LE FUR, a French women's paralympic athlete. She has represented France at four Summer Paralympic Games and was elected President of the Bahrain Games in 2018, becoming the first active female athlete to be elected President.

The Paris Olympics are about bridging differences, advocating fairness and inclusion, and not only at emblems, torches and other symbols. In 2019, the Paris Olympic Committee set up the Paris 2024 Endowment Fund to promote diversity and inclusion in physical education, focusing on encouraging women and people with disabilities to practice.

According to the 2023 interim report, 63% of French people believe that the Paralympic Games have changed their perception of people with disabilities and have a positive impression of them.

Fourth, the pride house commemoration is no longer homophobic

In line with the vision of a "more open Olympics", the Paris Olympics are committed to combating all forms of discrimination by announcing a "Pride House" for LGBTI people to mark the International Day Against Homophobia. In partnership with the Fier-Play association, a dedicated celebration space for LGBTQ+ athletes, entourage, fans and allies during the Olympics will be ambassadors for a number of iconic figures, including French transgender artist Louïz, Vietnamese-British LGBTQ+ advocate Amazin LeThi, Australia's Palypa rower Nikki Ayers, and Jamaican swimmer Michael Gunning.

(Gaying in the same scene: Be yourself without fear!) Tom Daley: It's a great honor to be a gay man and an Olympic champion.)

Born in the United Kingdom, first-time ambassador for the House of Pride, Michael Gunning has been threatened by the public for choosing to represent Jamaica even though he knows that Jamaica is highly homophobic and same-sex relationships are still illegal.

But it's the LGBT athlete who gives Michael Gunning the energy of sports, which is why he is part of the House of Pride. He once said in an interview:

"The Olympics are a place to bring people together, and I hope that those who come to Paris to prepare for the world's top sporting events will be inspired, educated and empowered."

"Sports are better when everyone can be their authentic selves, and I will be forever grateful for all the support I have received that has made me who I am today."

5. Sustainable environment

Continuing the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games' efforts in environmental sustainability, the Paris Olympics vowed to create the most energy-efficient and sustainable Olympic Games. The Paris Olympics will turn well-known attractions such as the Champ de Mars and the Grand Palais into arenas, and ensure the use of biomaterials, recycled resources and other sustainable materials in the few newly built venues.

The design of the athletes' village is also made from recyclable resources, combined with a floor cooling system to control the indoor temperature through groundwater, creating an environmentally friendly green building that does not require the installation of air conditioning. As the French president said, "The Athletes' Village was built with the goal of establishing districts in the future, in preparation for the climate of 2050." The Paris Olympians' Village is expected to be used as an environment-friendly community after the event, continuing the sustainable operation of green energy.

Committed to reducing carbon emissions by 50% compared to the Tokyo Olympics, the Paris Olympics are also fully prepared for transportation, not only will all venues be accessible by public transport, but also new bicycle lanes and 3,000 shared bicycles will be added to the city's streets to reduce the huge carbon emissions caused by transportation.

Image: @paris2024

As the pinnacle of sports, the core spirit of the Olympic Games is to build connections between countries and achieve world peace through sports. From Tokyo 2020 to Paris 2024, we have seen the integration of diversity and inclusion issues with the world of sport, and it has become more relevant to everyday life. From the design of symbols to event planning and venue design, the Paris Olympics demonstrated the spirit of "more open Olympics" in all aspects, making this world-renowned sports event more tangible and a celebration that everyone can participate in, no longer hindered by differences.