Olympics

This page only shows primary logo variants. For other related logos and images, see: Other

	1986–2010
1913–1986	1986–2010	2010–present

Symbol

1913–1986

The Olympics Rings were designed in 1913 by Baron Pierre de Coubertin. The symbol itself depicts five interlocking rings, each in five colours: blue, yellow, black, green, and red. The rings themselves represent each of the planet's five inhabited continents. Along with the white background, the Olympic Flag contained at least one colour of every national flag at the time.

“The six colours (including the flag's white background) combined in this way reproduce the colours of every country without exception. This, truly, is an international emblem.”

— Pierre de Coubertin, in Olympique (August 1913)

The use of the symbol during the Games was delayed by World War I, but the Rings would first be used during the 1920 Games in Antwerp. Being implemented prior to the advent of modern corporate branding standards, early use of the symbol varied somewhat. The rings would vary in relative thickness, tightness and height of each alternating row. In 1957, the International Olympic Committee approved of a standardized variant of the Rings which varies slightly form de Coubertin's original creation.

1986–2010

In 1986, the IOC decided to add white spacing between the rings to allow the symbol to be reproduced as accurately as possible using the available print technology of the time. Print variants of the symbol didn't need the spaces as they were printed in one colour.

International Olympic Committee logo

2010–present

In 2010, the IOC approved of a revised version of the Olympic Rings that removed the white spacing between the rings.

International Olympic Committee logo

Games Emblems

Every Olympic Games has a unique emblem created for it. Continually since the 1932 Games in Los Angeles, the emblem has included the Olympic Rings. The emblem is usually presented 4-5 years in advance of the event.

Applicant city stage

Candidate city stage

Successful candidate interim stage

Official event emblem

Usually seven years in advance of an Olympic Games, a host city is decided through a process were they are invited to bid for hosting rights. In the current bidding process, all applicant cities create an initial logo. The rules for these logos are strict and need to be approved by the IOC. At first, the logos need to include the text 'Applicant City' and cannot include the Olympic Rings. Once a bid is shortlisted as a candidate city, the bid logo will include the Olympic Rings and switch out 'Applicant' for 'Candidate'. If a bid is successful, the bid logo remains in use as an interim emblem until and official emblem is created.

External links

• International Olympic Committee