What's the deal with the Olympics? Your burning questions are answered

PARIS (AP) — The Olympics have their own language, traditions and rules — one that are ever-evolving. It can be a lot to take in so here, The Associated Press will be answering some of the most asked questions about the Paris Games.

I thought it was the Paris Olympics. Why are so many events ... not in Paris?

Most of the events are in or around Paris, but select competitions are scattered around France — or in Tahiti. It’s not uncommon for host cities to tap venues outside municipal limits. It's down to a few factors: space, appropriate facilities for each discipline, a sustainability commitment that meant only two new venues were constructed in Paris and, in Tahiti's case, the best place to get sick waves with minimal impact.

What's in the box athletes get with their medals?

Gold, silver and bronze medalists can skip the trip to the gift shop. When the winners take the podium, they're handed a long, thin package containing the official Paris Olympics poster. They also get special stuffed Olympic Phryges with their corresponding medal.

On that note — what IS the Paris 2024 mascot?

It's the Olympic Phryge, a triangular red behemoth that has confounded some. It's meant to commemorate the phrygian bonnet, a hat that is a symbol of the French Revolution. The Paralympics mascot is much the same but has a prosthetic leg.

Why isn't Russia at the Olympics?

The Russians were already on thin ice at the Olympics before the invasion of Ukraine. Amid doping investigations, Russian athletes competed on the Olympic Athletes from Russia team in Pyeongyang and as the Russian Olympic Committee in Tokyo and Beijing. After the invasion of Ukraine, the International Olympic Committee suspended the ROC for forming sports councils in eastern Ukraine — a breach of the Olympic Charter.

So then, who are the AINs?

Russia is not at the Olympics, but some Russian athletes are. After Belarus and Russia were barred over the war in Ukraine, the IOC permitted some of its athletes to compete as Individual Neutral Athletes, abbreviated to AIN based on the French term. Winning AINs will not hear their country's anthem or sports its colors. They also weren't allowed to participate in the opening ceremony.

Why are people going crazy over pins?

Pins are currency, pins are souvenirs, pins are life. Many countries, news organizations, brands and even people have customized pins — lapel-sized but often found weighing down lanyards, hats, jackets and so on. Pins are swapped, used to entice or simply savored by fans, journalists, volunteers and athletes alike.

What does ‘repechage’ mean?

It means second chance, though this is the first time Olympic track and field athletes will get to use it. Athletes in the 200-meter through 1,500-meter races and hurdle events can get a chance at the semifinals by competing in the repechage round. Some other Olympic sports already employ it.

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For more coverage of the Paris Olympics, visit https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games.