The Emblem

The ATHENS 2004 Paralympic Games Emblem embodies the strength and determination of the Paralympic athlete. It features the profile of an athlete - male or female - looking forward, symbolizing optimism for the future. At the same time, this human face seems to breathe out the individual's willpower and determination to succeed in all pursuits. The face's lines are smooth, its colour a warm and bright orange - harbiger of the great celebration to come.

The Mascot

The ATHENS 2004 Paralympic Games mascot is Proteas, the seahorse, named after a marine divinity in classical Greek mythology. The sea has always been a core element of Hellenic culture, with representations embracing a huge variety of applications and connotations, from peace and tranquility to passion and strength. The sea has given Greek mythology numerous gods and characters and a series of heroes who have succeeded in overcoming the human degree of their ability and in creating thrilling moments and narratives of their achievements.

Proteas' name is connected with the Greek adjective "protos", meaning "first in rank" or "excellent". The notion of excellence is something the mascot shares with Paralympians, who succeeded in achieving ever-higher competition performances.

Spyros Gogos, the creator of Proteas, also designed Phevos and Athena, the mascots of the Olympic Games. He was asked to create a mascot, which would express the four values of the ATHENS 2004 Paralympics: strength, pursuit, inspiration and celebration. Further, the artist tried to create a mascot expressing the Greek nature of the competitions and a differentiation from mascots of previous Games.