What Do the Olympic Rings Symbolize?
With the 2024 Summer Olympics starting in Paris on July 26, many people are interested in deep diving into the history of the games. This includes fun facts about the iconic symbols of the five Olympic rings. You know what they are the second you see them, but what exactly do they mean?
We've got everything you want to know about the interlaced Olympic rings (beautifully showcased on the Eiffel Tower this year)—including their symbolism, what their colors represent and the changes they’ve undergone throughout history.
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History of the Olympic Games
The Olympic Games have a rich history dating back to ancient Greece—776 BCE, to be exact. Picture this: Every four years, a bunch of naked men would gather in Olympia to compete in honor of Zeus. There were basic events like running and wrestling, with the big prize being a crown of olive branches. The whole shebang was as much a religious festival as a sports competition. It was smaller and simpler than today's global extravaganza, but it laid the groundwork for the Olympic tradition we know now.
The modern era of the Olympics, however, began in the late 19th century. In 1894, French educator Baron Pierre de Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and proposed the idea of reviving the Olympic Games. The first modern Olympics were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896.
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History of the Olympic Rings
The Olympic rings were designed by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, and first appeared in 1913. He came up with the whole modern Olympic setup, including that famous five-ring logo, and spent his life hyping up the Games as a way to get countries to play nice and learn from each other.
According to the IOC, "In the Olympic Review of August 1913, [Baron Pierre de Coubertin] explained that 'These five rings represent the five parts of the world now won over to Olympism and ready to accept its fertile rivalries. Moreover, the six colours thus combined reproduce those of all the nations without exception.'"
The interlaced rings were officially adopted in 1914 but didn't make their debut at the Olympic Games until 1920 in Antwerp, Belgium, due to World War I causing the cancellation of the 1916 Games.
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What Do the Olympic Rings Symbolize?
Not surprisingly, the five Olympic rings symbolize five things:
1. The five continents
It's important to note that in Olympic parlance, the "five continents" are actually:
- Africa
- The Americas (North and South America combined as one)
- Asia
- Europe
- Oceania
2. Colors
The colors of the rings (blue, yellow, black, green and red) were chosen because at least one of these colors appeared on the flag of every nation at the time of the design.
3. Arrangement
The rings are interlocked to represent the unity and meeting of athletes from throughout the world at the Olympic Games.
4. Background
The rings are typically displayed on a white background, which is considered the Olympic flag.
5. Symbolism
The rings represent the union and meeting of athletes from throughout the world at the Olympic Games. They symbolize the universality of the Olympic movement and the coming together of athletes from every part of the world.
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What Do the Olympic Ring Colors Mean?
The five colors of the Olympic rings are blue, yellow, black, green and red on a white background. The colors were chosen for a simple reason: At least one of them appeared on the flag of every nation at the time of the rings' creation. (Although it's important to note that the colors are not assigned to specific continents.)
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Different Versions of the Olympic Rings
Over the years, there have been several variations of the Olympic rings. The original design had the rings interlaced in a slightly different pattern than what we see today. For many years, the IOC used a version with the rings on a white background.
In 2010, the IOC officially adopted a new version with the rings interlinked in a more precise geometric pattern. There are also monochrome versions of the rings used in certain contexts—so there are actually seven official versions of the Olympic rings. (The more you know!)
