Olympic Symbol

The Olympic rings - Visual ambassador of Olympism

History
  • Designed by Pierre de Coubertin in 1913
  • Conceived as an “international emblem” to reflect the global reach of the Olympic Movement
  • First appearance in an Olympic stadium on the Olympic flag in 1920, in Antwerp
Meaning
  • Represent the five continents of the world
  • Interlinked to show the universality of Olympism and how athletes from all over the world come together for the Olympic Games
  • Made of six colours: blue, yellow, black, green and red on a white background. Historically, the flags of every nation include at least one of these six colours
Recognition
  • One of the world’s most widely recognised symbols
  • Globally, 9 out 10 people can correctly identify the rings*
  • People associate the rings with a wide range of positive values*: Global, Diversity, Heritage and Tradition, Excellence, Inspirational, Peace, Friendship, Respectful, Optimistic, Inclusive

*Publicis Media, 2018, Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 General Public Research

"These five rings represent the five parts of the world now won over to Olympism and ready to accept its fruitful rivalries. In addition, the six colours combined in this way represent the colours of every country without exception. [...] This, truly, is an international emblem."
Pierre de Coubertin

Pierre de Coubertin

"L'emblème et le drapeau de 1914" in "Revue Olympique", No. 92, August 1913.

The Olympic rings are the visual representation of Olympism and the symbol of the Olympic Movement.

Some of the Olympic Movement stakeholders are able to use the Olympic rings as part of their emblems, to demonstrate their commitment to Olympism and the Olympic values. By using the Olympic rings, these organisations join their own identities and attributes with those of the Olympic brand. In parallel, by joining the values of these organisations, the Olympic brand becomes a truly global symbol that is representative of the entire Olympic Movement.

To protect this asset, the IOC benefits from an exceptional international legal instrument. Adopted in 1981 and administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the Nairobi Treaty on the Protection of the Olympic Symbol obliges each state that has ratified it to refuse or invalidate the registration as a mark and to prohibit the use for commercial purposes of any sign consisting of or containing the Olympic symbol, except with the IOC's authorisation.

The Olympic rings over time​


Creation of the Olympic rings

The Olympic rings first appeared at the top of a letter written by Baron Pierre de Coubertin in 1913. Drawn and coloured by hand, the rings were conceived as an “international emblem” to reflect the global reach of the Olympic Movement following the Olympic Games Stockholm 1912, which was the first time that athletes had come from all five continents to compete.

Perhaps inspired by the two interlocking rings in the emblem of France’s national sports governing body – of which Coubertin was president – the Olympic rings are now one of the world’s most recognised symbols.

First drawing of the Olympic rings by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, 1913.​
First drawing of the Olympic rings by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, 1913.

The pinnacle of sport: What the Olympic rings mean to athletes

For athletes, the Olympic rings symbolise many things. From the pinnacle of sport to the realisation of a dream, competing under the rings at the Olympic Games is a unique and often once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Bringing the world together

At each edition of the Olympic Games, fans from all around the world can be seen having their pictures taken next to the Olympic rings, while billions more engage with the symbol through broadcast coverage.

No matter where the fans come from, the rings draw them together like no other symbol.