IOC Presidents and Symbols

Current IOC President

His Excellency Thomas Bach – Germany
2013 to Present

Jacques Rogge – Belgium2001 to 2013
HE Juan Antonio Samaranch – Spain1980 to 2001
Lord Lillanin – Ireland1972 to 1980
Avery Brundage – USA1952 to 1972
Sigfrid Edström – Sweden1946 to 1952
Count Henri de Baillet-Latour – Belgium 1925 to 1946
Baron Pierre de Coubertin – France1896 to 1925
Demetrius Vikelas – Greece1894 to 1896

THE OLYMPIC SYMBOL

Designed by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the Olympic symbol (the rings) represents the union of the five continents and the meeting of athletes from throughout the world at the Olympic Games in a spirit of fair competition and good friendship. The symbol consists of five interlocking rings: blue, black and red on the top; yellow and green on the bottom. At least one of the colours of the Olympic symbol can be found in the flags of each country in the world. Contrary to popular belief, the colours do not represent the continents. Of the Olympic symbol, Baron Pierre de Coubertin said, “these five circles stand for the five regions on Earth that reconcile with Olympism. It is an authentic Olympic symbol”.

THE OLYMPIC FLAG

The Olympic flag has a white background with no border. The Olympic symbol is centred and is in colour. The Olympic flag was unveiled by Baron Pierre de Coubertin in 1913 and was adopted by the International Olympic Committee at the Congress of Paris in 1914. It was first used at the 1920 Antwerp Olympic Games.


THE OLYMPIC MOTTO

The Olympic Motto is “Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together”. It expresses the message which the IOC addresses to all who belong to the Olympic Movement, inviting them to excel in accordance with the Olympic spirit. The motto was conceived by Father Henri Didon, an educator and friend of Baron Pierre de Coubertin. It was adopted as the motto at the 1894 Congress which created the International Olympic Committee. On 20 July 2021, the Session of the International Olympic Committee approved a change in the Olympic motto that recognises the unifying power of sport and the importance of solidarity. The change added the word “together” after an en dash to “Faster, Higher, Stronger”.

FAQs on use of the Olympic Properties


What are the Olympic Properties?

The Olympic Properties, as defined in Rule 7 of the Olympic Charter, refer to the Olympic symbol, flag, motto, anthem, identifications (including “Olympic” or “Olympic Games”), and any musical, audio-visual or creative works created in connection with the Olympic Games (“Olympic Properties”).

Is permission required to use the Olympic rings, the word ‘Olympic,’ or any of the Olympic Properties?

These symbols and words are protected by intellectual property rights owned by the International Olympic Committee. Generally, authorisation from the IOC is needed before using them in the market. Please make sure to review the details on the IOC’s website and the various published guidelines. If, after reviewing the information, you think that your request might fit within one of the permitted uses, visit the IOC’s website and complete the request form.


Who should I get in touch with if I want to use the emblem of my National Olympic Committee?

If you wish to use the emblem of your National Olympic Committee, in this case, the Barbados Olympic Association Inc., please contact our office for permission.


Is it possible for a school or academic institution to honour a former student who is an Olympian with a plaque or another form of recognition?

Yes, with the IOC’s approval, Olympic properties may be used to recognise an athlete’s participation in the Olympic Games in a factual manner. For further details on this or other Olympic legacy requests, please contact olympic.legacy@olympic.org.


Is it permissible to use Olympic Properties to produce clothing, diaries, or merchandise for distribution within my school or company?

The use of Olympic Properties for the manufacturing of any merchandise or clothing products is not permitted. The IOC is committed to preserving the identity and brand value of its intellectual property. The IOC takes into consideration environmental, social, and ethical issues when selecting commercial partners for the manufacture of any goods using the Olympic Properties.

The Barbados Olympic Association Inc. (BOA) as a National Olympic Committee (NOC), has a legal duty to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and its sponsors to monitor and protect the Olympic Brand in Barbados.

For more information on the Olympic Properties and their use, visit the IOC’s website .