What's actually inside mystery box given to medal winners at Paris Olympics
Mia Williams
Featured Image Credit: Patrick Khachfe/Getty Images/Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
If you've been watching any of the Olympics, you could be wondering what on Earth is inside the slim box that athletes receive along with their medal?
It's no secret that if you finish third, second or first in the Olympics, you receive a bronze, silver or gold medal.
But during the Paris Games, contestants are also given an extra little box as well as their medal - and people are starting to wonder what could possibly be inside it.
It turns out that it's actually a very thoughtful keepsake from the 2024 games, and no, it's not a mini version of the Eiffel Tower.
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Although that would be pretty hilarious.
Each podium athlete is also awarded a plushie of the Paris Olympics mascot.
The official mascot for this summer's sporting event is called the 'Phryge', the pronunciation of which sounds an awful lot like 'fridge'.
It's a triangular red teddy, based on the Phrygian Cap which Marianne wore, and Goddess of Liberty and the female figure who's a symbol of the French Republic - dating back to 1775.
Each Olympian on the podium receives a miniature version of the mascot, with the colour of their medal sewn onto its belly.
In addition to a cuddly toy, medal winners in the athletics and boxing events will also receive prize money - a new change in the 2024 Olympics.
World Athletics gives $50,000 (£38,800) to gold medallists, while the International Boxing Association gives $50,000 for golds, $25,000 (£19,400) for silver and $12,500 (£9,700) for bronze.
Rolled up tightly inside the 15 inch box athletes have been seen holding is the official poster for the Paris Olympics - and while that might sound a little underwhelming, the poster is actually an absolute work of art.
The poster was created and designed by Ugo Gattoni, a Parisian artist whose illustrations captivate viewers through his vibrant and playful style.
Following a meeting with the Paris 2024 Olympics' top bosses in June 2023, he outlined his brilliant idea to the media team.
He said: “I immediately had an idea.
"I came home here to the studio and I already had the stadium in mind on my journey back.
"I wanted to make a Paris stadium.
"I had even already made a first sketch.
“I quickly added shadows to make it more meaningful and I pitched the idea to Joachim [Roncin, director of design at the Paris Olympics], who approved it."
It took him 2,000 hours of work before even beginning to add the finer details.
He explained: “I added buildings, changed the background, put in the shadow.
"I added the Tahiti wave and included Marseille."
Now each medal-winning Olympian will have another piece of history with them.