{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O1153867"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1153867/"}},"images":null,"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O1153867","accessionNumber":"B.173-2009","objectType":"Olympic Mascot","titles":[{"title":"Athena","type":"manufacturer's title"}],"summaryDescription":"The first Olympic mascot 'Waldi' a Daschund dog appeared at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. Mascots are used to communicate the Olympic spirit to the general public, especially youth and children. They are usually a character or animal native to the country where the games are being held and showcase the history and culture unique to the host city. In more recent years it has been common to have more than one mascot. This could be to ensure gender equity but has undoubtedly increased the merchandising potential of the Olympic mascot.\r\n\r\nAthena is one of two mascots chosen for the Athens Olympic Games in 2004, the other being Phevos. They are sister and brother. Their design is based on 7th century dolls found at archaeological sites in Greece. \r\n\r\nTheir names are derived from two Olympian gods: Athena, goddess of wisdom and patron of the city of Athens and Phevos the god of light and music known as Apollo. Athena and Phevos represent the link between Greek history and the modern Olympic Games and promote the values of participation, brotherhood, equality, cooperation and fair play.","physicalDescription":"Yellow plush figure, abstract in shape with large feet, asymmetric arm and head. Athena wears a bright orange plush outfit and has Athens 2004 and the Olympic rings stitched on in white thread. Facial features are also stitched with grey thread. Original merchandising tags attached.","artistMakerPerson":[],"artistMakerOrganisations":[{"name":{"text":"Jumbo Toys","id":"A30383"},"association":{"text":"manufactured","id":"x39720"},"note":""}],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"Plush","id":"x35059"}],"techniques":[{"text":"stitching","id":"AAT53660"},{"text":"stuffing","id":"AAT231130"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Stitched and stuffed plush fabric","categories":[{"text":"Dolls & Toys","id":"THES48967"},{"text":"Children & Childhood","id":"THES48980"},{"text":"Olympics","id":"THES260705"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"YVA","id":"THES48593"},"images":[],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"004","id":"THES343656"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Olympic Mascot","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"China","id":"x29398"},"association":{"text":"manufactured","id":"x29350"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"2004","earliest":"2004-01-01","latest":"2004-12-31"},"association":{"text":"manufactured","id":"x29350"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"38","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"22","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"10","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Plush figure designed by Jumbo Toys in China for the Olympic games in Athens in 2004","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"Mass produced","id":"THES48863"},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[{"text":"Olympic Games","id":"V512"}],"associatedEvents":[{"text":"Olympic Games","id":"V512"}],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["B.173-2009"],"accessionNumberNum":"173","accessionNumberPrefix":"B","accessionYear":2009,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-04-03","recordCreationDate":"2010-01-26","availableToBook":false}}