Gipsy and Doudou et Compagnie, the two French companies responsible for production of the mascots, will produce almost all of the stuffed toys in China.

A total of 15 per cent of the production by Doudou et Compagnie will come from its factory in Guerche-de-Bretagne, meaning that only eight per cent of the mascots will be made in France and the rest in China.

Asked about a possible "emergency relocation of production to France", Béchu admitted production in China left him with environmental concerns.

"Reacting to information that you give me, I do it with pleasure, to tell you in detail what you have to be able to do... you ask me the question is there a problem, I answer you there is a problem," Béchu told FranceInfo.

"We are not going to end up, when we explain that we need short circuits and relocate, with a production of mascots that is done at the end of the world, including when we defend the prospect of fighting against global warming, which supposes favouring what is produced nearby."

The mascots, named Les Phryges, are personified Phrygian caps, which have long been a symbol of liberty in France.

Speaking at yesterday’s launch at the Paris 2024 headquarters in Saint-Denis, Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet said the estimated target production for the mascots was 2 million.

"We will be using recycled materials in production," Estanguet added.

"Overall the target production figure is two million mascots sold during the Games, so we have decided to base ourselves on this number of mascots.

"Some of the mascots will be produced in other areas of France, including Brittany.

"So this gives the Games another legacy."