Rio 2016

2007–2008


The logo for Rio's bid for the Summer Olympics was revealed on December 17, 2007. It depicts the Sugarloaf Mountain in the front of Rio in the shape of a heart.


 * Rio unveils 2016 olympic bid logo during Brazil olympic award ceremony

2008–2009


Rio was declared a candidate city in June 2008, as was allowed to add the Olympic rings to its logo.

2009–2010


Rio de Janeiro were awarded the games in October 2009. The applicant logo remained the official logo of the games until the final version is revealed. This was announced to happen on January 1, 2011.


 * Rio 2016 Committee starts the process of choosing the agency that will create the Rio 2016 Olympic Games brand

2010–2016
The contest to create the official logo for the Olympics was launched in April 2010. The selection was exhaustive with 139 agencies involved before eight finalists were chosen.

On September 2, 2010, it was reported that Rio 2016 had chosen a logo out of eigth finalists. It would then be sent to the International Olympic Committee for approval and be revealed to the world in ceremony on New Year's Eve.

The emblem to be used by the 2016 Olympics was revealed late on December 31, 2010 at a ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, reportedly in front of two million people.

The agency behind the final logo was Tátil from Rio de Janeiro. The emblem shows three figures in dance or embrace. One can also see an abstract silhouette of the Sugarloaf Mountain.


 * "The brand translates the Olympic spirit and the nature, feelings, and aspirations of the athletes, Rio and the cariocas. Different countries, athletes and peoples are joined in a warm embrace – in an individual and collective move, which at a second glance, reveals one of Rio’s most beautiful icons, a vibrant Sugar Loaf, radiating joy, unity, celebration, and friendship." - Rio 2016 news article

The agency worked both with several values they wanted the identity to communicate. They also looked at shapes in nature and around Rio for the design of the logo. The color scheme was taken from nature with yellow for the sun, blue for water and green for forests and hope.

The Rio 2016 symbol is the first truly three-dimensional Olympic logo. It can take a three dimensional form both virtually as well as physically in the form of sculptures.

Links
Games BidsRevista Design
 * Rio 2016: The Emblem
 * Rio 2016 Olympic Games emblem is launched during the Copacabana Beach New Year's Eve party
 * Tátil Design de idéas: Paixão e Transformação
 * Vimeo
 * Creative Review