Olympic symbols

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) uses icons, flags, and symbols to represent and enhance the Olympic Games. These symbols include those commonly used during Olympic competitions such as the flame, fanfare, and theme as well as those used both during and outside competition, such as the Olympic flag.

The Olympic flag was created in 1914 under the guidance of Baron de Coubertin of France. It was first hoisted in Alexandria, Egypt in Old Shatby Stadium which is now located in Al Ittihad Alexandria Club , at the 1914 Pan-Egyptian Games. The five rings on the flag represent the inhabited continents of the world (the Americas were considered as one continent and Europe was treated as distinct from Asia). It contains the colours blue, black, red, yellow, and green, which are common on national flags globally.

The original Olympic motto is the hendiatris "Citius, Altius, Fortius" which is Latin for "Faster, Higher, Stronger". The motto was proposed by Pierre de Coubertin upon the creation of the IOC. Coubertin borrowed it from his friend Henri Didon, a Dominican priest who was an athletics enthusiast. Coubertin said that "these three words represent a programme of moral beauty. The aesthetics of sport are intangible". The motto was introduced at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris. Coubertin's Olympic ideals are expressed in the Olympic creed:

"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."

— (English translated)

“L'essentiel est de participer. L'important n'est pas de triompher, mais de lutter. L'essentiel n'est pas d'avoir vaincu, mais d'avoir bien combattu.”

— Pierre de Coubertin (French version),

Coubertin got this text from a sermon by Bishop of Central Pennsylvania Ethelbert Talbot, during the 1908 London Games.