Victors

"And this moment here... this is a moment that you never forget. The moment when the tribute becomes a victor."

- Caesar Flickerman

Victors are tributes who have won previous Hunger Games. Because of this, they receive income from the Capitol for life, are given a special status in their districts, and are allowed to live in the part of their district called the Victors' Village with their families. In return, victors must act as mentors to subsequent tributes from their district in future Games. They line up sponsors, control the flow of gifts, and have a say in the tactics that the tribute uses. They must not mistreat their tributes. If a victor is considered highly desirable, they may be forced to become a pawn in Capitol politics, as was the case with Finnick Odair, who was used as a sexual bargaining chip by President Coriolanus Snow.

Many victors turn to alcohol or drugs after they have won their Games. Some examples can be seen with Haymitch Abernathy and his heavy drinking, and the morphlings from District 6 with their addiction to morphling. They do this because of the traumatic experiences and memories of the Games. Also, because the chances of winning tend to be skewed in favor of the Career Tributes, victors from poorer districts have to watch the tributes who they have personally trained as mentors die.

In the 75th Hunger Games, past victors are forced to compete in the Games "as a reminder to the rebels that even the strongest among them cannot overcome the power of the Capitol." This was difficult for them because, as fellow mentors, many of the victors knew each other well.

The Victory Tour
Six months after the Games, a Victory Tour is held to keep memory of the Games fresh in everyone's mind. They start off in the highest numbered district and count down, skipping the victor's district and saving it for last. In each District, they give a speech and attend a dinner. The Capitol throws a huge feast for the victor's district where all the residents attend.

Known Victors
There have been 75 victors throughout the history of the Hunger Games. By the end of the Second Rebellion, only seven victors are known to still be alive. They are Katniss Everdeen, Peeta Mellark, Johanna Mason, Beetee, Haymitch Abernathy, Annie Cresta, and Enobaria. Sixteen died of natural causes, 18 died in the 75th Hunger Games, and the other 34 died during the victors' purge and rebellion.