History of the Olympic rings

The Olympic symbol – widely known throughout the world as the Olympic rings – is the visual ambassador of olympism for billions of people.

Based on a design first created by Pierre de Coubertin, the Olympic rings remain a global representation of the Olympic Movement and its activity.

Definition

“The Olympic symbol consists of five interlaced rings of equal dimensions (the Olympic rings), used alone, in one or in five different colours. When used in its five-colour version, these colours shall be, from left to right, blue, yellow, black, green and red. The rings are interlaced from left to right; the blue, black and red rings are situated at the top, the yellow and green rings at the bottom in accordance with the following graphic reproduction.” (Olympic Charter, Rule 8)

Meaning

“The Olympic symbol expresses the activity of the Olympic Movement and represents the union of the five continents and the meeting of athletes from throughout the world at the Olympic Games.” (Olympic Charter, Rule 8)

These five rings represent the five parts of the world now won over to the cause of olympism and ready to accept its fecund rivalries.

1913 – Introduction of the Olympic rings

The Olympic rings were publicly presented for the first time in 1913. In the centre of a white background, five rings interlaced: blue, yellow, black, green and red.

1920 – The official Olympic Games debut of the Olympic rings

For the Olympic Games, the Olympic rings, set on the white background of the Olympic flag, made their first appearance at the Games of the VII Olympiad Antwerp 1920.

1957 – Definition of the Olympic Rings

In 1957, the IOC officially approved a specific version of the Olympic rings, differing only slightly from Coubertin’s original, in which the rings intersect each other.

1986 – Graphic design and the Olympic rings

Although spaces between the Olympic rings had already been seen in their visual presentation, in 1986 the IOC Graphics Standards included a description of how an official version of the Rings with spaces should be produced.

2010 – The Return to the Timeless Original Olympic Rings

As approved in 2010 by the IOC Executive Board, the official version of the Olympic rings returned to its original, seamlessly interlaced design, fulfilling Coubertin’s vision.

Official version

​Today, there are seven official versions of the Olympic rings.

The full-colour version on its white background is the preferred version of the Olympic rings. Indeed, the full-colour Olympic rings are the embodiment of Pierre de Coubertin’s original vision; “full-colour” refers to the six Olympic colours – blue, yellow, black, green and red on a white background – which symbolise Olympism’s universality.

The monochrome Olympic rings provide an alternative to the full-colour Olympic rings. The Olympic rings may appear in any of the six official Olympic colours when necessary.

Link to Olympic properties

The Olympic rings are a cornerstone of the Olympic properties, which comprise a variety of assets: the Olympic symbol, flag, motto, anthem, identifications (including but not limited to “Olympic Games” and “Games of the Olympiad”), designations, emblems, flame and torches (…) may, for convenience, be collectively or individually referred to as “Olympic properties”. (Source)