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The Olympic Games are an international multi-sport event subdivided into summer and winter sporting events. The summer and winter games are each held every four years. Until 1992, they were both held in the same year. Since then, the summer games are held during the first year of an Olympiad, the winter games during the third year.The Olympics date back to ancient Greek times, but the Olympic logo was born in 1913. |
The logo was designed by Frenchmen Pierre de Coubertin for the Paris Congress of the Olympic Movement. The logo was first found on a flag and had five interlocking rings, one for each continent represented in the Olympic Movement (with the Americas being treated as one). The six colors were included as well, black, yellow, blue, red, green, and white. The colors were chosen because at least one of the colors is in the flag of the countries that participate in the Olympics. The reason for the interlocking rings on the Olympic flag is symbolic in showing that the Olympic Games are intended for all nations to be able to come and compete against one another in unity.
The popular account that de Coubertin found stones carved with an ancient Olympic logo which he immitated in the modern rendition is false, according to an article published in Olympic Review Magazine in 1992. Though carved stones were found bearing the logo, they were created for the torch relay from Greece to Germany in 1936. They were later mistaken for ancient artifacts, according to the article.
In addition to the Olympic logo, most host cities also design their own logo as well. Here is an interesting site that has many of the past cities' logos, dating back to 1924. Though it's not a complete collection, it is fun to see how well the logos embody the era in which they appeared.
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History of Logos 
