The Meaning Behind the Olympic Games Flag

The Olympics have a long and rich history. It is an international event where countries from all over the world come together to compete in different sporting events. With such an impressive reach, it's no wonder the Olympics has a unique flag with specific symbols. But what do those symbols mean?

This article explains what the Olympic flag represents as well as the history behind its iconic design. For personalized advice, contact our team at Bestflag today.

What Does the Olympic Flag Mean?

The Olympic flag consists of a white background with five interlinked rings, each with a distinct color. These rings are commonly called Olympic rings and come in blue, yellow, black, green, and red. Together, they represent the global unity that the Olympics strive for.

Each color symbolically represents one of the five continents. Likewise, these colors were carefully considered to reflect as many nations as possible. Every flag in the world has one of the ring colors incorporated into its design. The rings also symbolize the friendship and sportsmanship that underpin the Olympic values.

The History Behind The Flag

The first version of the Olympic flag was designed in 1913 by Baron Pierre de Coubertin. However, these rings were not officially incorporated into the Olympics until the Summer Games held in 1920 in Belgium.

Over the years the flag has only had a few different design changes. In 1957, the rings were redesigned to allow them to intersect. In 1989, gaps were placed between the intersecting rings, so official flags could be produced and printed.

However, despite these slight changes, in 2010 the Olympic flag’s original design was reinstated. The enduring nature of its symbolism speaks to the simplicity of its design. The Olympic rings are a captivating image and have been from the start. By returning to its original formation, the Olympic values originally represented are emphasized and appreciated.

The Olympic Flag Guidelines

Most national flags have guidelines and rules of etiquette when it comes to flying and handling their flag. While the Olympic flag is similar, it does not have the same rules of etiquette that many other flags do. However, certain legal requirements must be followed when using the flag.

The Olympic Charter is a compilation of all the different rules and codes of the Olympics. This includes rules and regulations around the treatment and use of their property and symbols.

The Olympic flag, as defined in the Olympic Charter, is Olympic Property. This means the flag is the intellectual property of the International Olympic Committee. With this protection, the flag cannot be used commercially without the committee’s explicit permission.

Any revenue generated by the Olympic Properties is utilized to support athletes and sports. This is why the use of the Olympic flag is protected so heavily, to protect against the misuse of these symbols.

Likewise, the personal use of the Olympic flag for non-commercial reasons is similarly regulated. If the flag is being used in any kind of official capacity, permission must be granted.

The Flag and the Oath

The Olympic games have many other traditions that are still followed today. The Olympic oath is one such tradition that is held at the opening ceremony. This oath was first taken at the same time as the Olympic flag was first flown, at the 1920 Belgium Games. It was also made by the same man, Pierre de Coubertin.

Because of this the Olympic Oath and the Olympic flag are intrinsically linked to almost the very beginning of the modern games. Though the oath has been updated several times to reflect the current era, it is just as enduring as the flag.

The oath is taken by an athlete representing their nation. It is to showcase the athlete's commitment to the principles of sportsmanship. Taking the oath in front of the flag is a commitment to respecting the rules, other nations, and the spirit of the games.

The Olympic Flag