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How has the Olympic flag evolved since its creation in 1913?

Jeff Povall

Well, well, well, my fellow sports enthusiasts, buckle up and get ready to take a ride through the history of the Olympic flag! Since its creation in 1913, the design of the flag has been evolving, changing, and adapting to better represent the spirit and ideals of the Olympic Games.

Let's start by going back to the beginning of this epic tale: 1913. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) needed a symbol that would unite athletes from all over the world and represent the values of the Games. Therefore, the Olympic flag was born: a white background with five interlocking rings in blue, yellow, black, green, and red.

But wait, why these specific colors? Well, according to Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games, these colors represented all the colors that could be found on the national flags of the participating countries at that time. Smart move, right?

The Olympic flag made its debut at the 1920 Olympic Games held in Antwerp, Belgium. From then on, it has become an iconic symbol of the Olympic spirit and values. However, the Olympic flag hasn't remained the same since its first appearance.

In 1931, the Olympic Congress decided to add the Olympic motto "Citius, Altius, Fortius" (Faster, Higher, Stronger) to the flag, just to keep things interesting. And in 1951, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the IOC, they added the Olympic rings to the bottom of the flag. Nice touch!

Now, let's fast forward to the 21st century. In 2004, the Olympic flag underwent a major makeover. It was replaced with a new design with bolder and more vibrant colors, representing the dynamic and modern world of sports in the 21st century.

And that's not all, folks. At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, a new addition was made to the Olympic flag: a small laurel leaf placed beside the rings. Why, you may ask? This leaf symbolizes the spirit of victory and the journey to become an Olympic champion.

In summary, the Olympic flag has come a long way since its inception back in 1913. From a simple flag with five interlocking rings, it has become an instantly recognizable symbol of the power of sports to unite people and bring about positive change around the world. Who knows what the future holds for the Olympic flag? One thing is for sure: it will continue to evolve and adapt to fit the changing times and reflect the values of the Olympic Games. Go for the gold, Olympic flag!