Olympic Symbols

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Olympic Symbols

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Olympic Rings

Olympic Flame

Olympic Medals

The Olympic Rings

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The olympic rings are the official symbol of the Olympic Movement.Baron Pierre de Coubertin designed the Olympic emblem in 1913. In his words, "These five rings represent the five parts of the world won over to Olympism... This is a real international emblem." The Olympic rings represent the union of the five continents and the meeting of athletes throughout the world at the Olympic Games. The colours were chosen because at least one of these colours is found in the flag of every nation. The original Olympic flag was made at the "Bon Marché " store in Paris. The flag is three meters long and two meters wide. It first flew over an Olympic stadium at the 1920 Antwerp Games. The original flag also carried the Olympic motto, "Citius, Altius, Fortius," meaning "Faster, Higher, Stronger."

The Olympic Flame

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The most revered and visible symbol of the Olympic Games competition is the Olympic Flame.During the ancient Games, in Olympia, a sacred flame burned continually on the altar of the goddess, Hera.The tradition of the Olympic Torch Relay, which culminates in the lighting of the Olympic cauldron at the Opening Ceremony of each Games, dates to the 1936 Berlin Games. Carl Diem, the noted Olympic historian and head of the organizing committee, created the first torch relay to symbolize the link between the ancient and modern Olympic Games. The flame was lit in a ceremony at Olympia, Greece. From there, 3,000 runners carried the torch through seven countries to Berlin. The relay was timed so that the flame arrived at the stadium at the precise moment required. Ever since, the lighting of the Olympic cauldron has become the most sacred moment of the Olympic Games.

The Olympic Medals

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Olympic medals are awarded to those individuals or teams placing first, second, and third in each event. The first place winner is bestowed a gold-plated medal of silver, which is commonly referred to as the "gold medal." Second and third places receive medals of silver and bronze. The silver used in the first and second place medals must be at least 92.5% pure. The "gold" medals must be gilded with at least six grams of pure gold. Medals also carry the name of the sport contested. All competitors receive a diploma and commemorative medals for their participation in the Olympic Games.