Overview

The Olympic rings are the primary emblem of the modern Olympic Movement. Comprised of five interlaced rings on a white field, the symbol was created by Baron Pierre de Coubertin in 1913 to represent the union of the world’s continents and the gathering of athletes at the Olympic Games. The emblem appears on the Olympic flag, medals, signage and many official materials used by the International Olympic Committee.

Design and appearance

The symbol shows five rings arranged in two rows: three rings above (blue, black, red) and two rings below (yellow and green). The rings are interlocked horizontally, suggesting unity and the meeting of athletes from around the globe. The five ring colors together with the white background were chosen because, at the time Coubertin presented the design, they appeared in the flags of all nations; the white field makes the colored rings distinct from national flags.

Meaning and interpretation

Coubertin described the rings as representing the five continents and the coming together of athletes in peaceful competition. While popular accounts sometimes assign a specific continent to each ring color, the International Olympic Committee does not maintain an official one-to-one color-to-continent mapping. Instead, the emphasis is on international unity, fair play and the universality of sport.

History and early use

  • Pierre de Coubertin proposed the symbol in 1913 as a graphic identifier for the Olympic Movement. See his connection to the early modern Games via Baron Pierre de Coubertin.
  • The rings were first displayed widely as the Olympic flag at the 1920 Games in Antwerp, Belgium; that appearance helped establish the emblem as central to the Games’ identity. See more about the 1920 presentation at Antwerp 1920.

Uses, protection and variations

The IOC controls the emblem and enforces guidelines for its reproduction, placement and color specifications. The rings are used on the official Olympic Games flag, on bid materials, venues, broadcast graphics and merchandise under license. Unauthorized or altering uses are restricted to protect the symbol’s integrity.

Importance and notable facts

The rings have become one of the most widely recognized logos worldwide. They stand for international cooperation through sport and are often invoked in discussions of Olympic heritage, opening-ceremony symbolism and branding. The emblem continues to be adapted in animation, temporary venue treatments and cultural displays while remaining tightly regulated by the Olympic authorities to preserve its original intent: bringing athletes and nations together in peaceful competition. For discussions of the continents and the idea of athletic fellowship, see continents and athletes.