With the excitement of the Paris 2024 Olympics still fresh in our minds, it's a great time to reflect on some of the most memorable Olympic logos from past Games. These logos capture the essence of their host cities and communicate the core values of the Olympics: unity, diversity, and global collaboration. Each logo tells a story of creativity and identity, leaving a lasting impression on the world stage.
The Olympic rings are one of the world’s most recognizable symbols, embodying the unity and diversity of nations through sport. The five rings represent the five continents—Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania—and their interlocking design symbolises the interconnection of these continents through the Olympic Games. The colours—blue, yellow, black, green, and red on a white background—were carefully chosen because at least one of these colours appears on every national flag in the world.
Among the many Olympic logos that have stood out over the years, these six represent some of the most unique and inspiring designs, each reflecting the culture and creativity of its host city:
LA 2028
The LA 2028 dynamic logo is all about celebrating individualism and diversity. So far, it features 42 different iterations designed by celebrities and artists like Billie Eilish, Steven Harrington, and Reese Witherspoon. Each version of the logo features a unique take on the ‘A’ in ‘LA’ reflecting the city's spirit of creativity and innovation. LA28 Chief Marketing Officer Amy Gleeson explained, “No single mark could ever express all that Los Angeles and the Games represent. The best way to showcase the LA28 Games is by asking the community to share in the creation.”
Barcelona 1992
The logo for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics draws from the city’s rich artistic heritage. It features an abstract figure of an athlete leaping over the Olympic rings, with stylised strokes reminiscent of Spanish brushwork. The bold colours and fluid lines reflect Barcelona’s vibrant art scene, making it one of the most iconic logos in Olympic history.
London 2012
London’s 2012 logo was perhaps the most controversial, breaking with tradition by not featuring the city or the country in its design. Instead, the logo showcases the year ‘2012’ using jagged, geometric shapes. The bold, unconventional style was inspired by the diversity and energy of contemporary London, making it a symbol of the city’s modern identity.
Munich 1972
The minimalist, abstract logo of the Munich 1972 Olympics stands out for its elegance and simplicity. Designed to represent the sun, the logo features a spiral effect, which designer Otl Aicher described as ‘the shining sun’. Its subtle, hopeful design symbolised rays of optimism during a time when the world needed it most. Interestingly, this logo did not incorporate the Olympic rings or colours, making it a bold departure from tradition.
Tokyo 1964
The logo for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics remains a timeless symbol of simplicity and strength. Its design features Japan’s rising sun, a bright red circle, above the interlocking Olympic rings. By tightening the spacing between the rings, the logo creates a sense of complexity and unity, reflecting both Japan’s national identity and the global nature of the Games.
Mexico 1968
And my personal favourite: the Mexico 1968 Olympics logo. Bold, dynamic, and visually captivating, it features optical illusion-style lines and patterns inspired by traditional Mexican art. The design cleverly integrates the Olympic rings into the year ‘68’, extending outward into an intricate pattern that draws the eye and captures the imagination. This logo perfectly encapsulates the vibrant culture of Mexico while paying homage to the country’s artistic traditions.
Each of these logos tells a story about its host city and the values that underpin the Olympic Games. Whether through bold modernism or artistic heritage, they highlight the creativity, diversity, and unity that make the Olympics so special.
Which Olympic logo is your favourite?