Paris Olympics 2024: What do athletes receive in cardboard box during medal ceremony?

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Viewers of the Olympic Games have been left scratching their heads over the contents of rectangular boxes given to athletes during medal ceremonies.Breaking with tradition, medallists at the Paris Games are presented with these unusual boxes instead of the customary bouquet of flowers.

Inside each individual box is a replica of the official 2024 Olympics poster, designed for the showcase in Paris. The poster represents a shift from previous games such as London 2012 and Tokyo 2020, where athletes were given flowers, and Rio 2016 where winners received a model of the games' logo.The innovative artwork delivered within the box offers a richly detailed illustration of Paris including significant landmarks along with Olympic sites and stadiums.

The mastermind behind the captivating design is artist Ugo Gattoni, an artist known for fantasy and surrealism in his work as well as his meticulous attention to both extensive and intricate details, as reported by the Mirror.Gattoni, born in Paris, dedicated over 2,000 hours throughout half a year to perfect the poster designs, with organisers opting for a unified representation of both the Olympics and Paralympics.

The official unveiling of the poster was on social media in March, with games officials proclaiming: "A picture is worth a thousand words."Those fortunate enough to secure a spot on the podium will receive a "Phryge" mascot, which can be purchased here.