Olympic Pictograms

Humans have been solving the problem non-verbally for a very long time. The fact that this continues to be extremely successful can be seen in cave drawings produced tens of thousands of years ago: simple figures consisting of individual lines recount the history of a culture, representing hunting scenes and everyday activities. Today, symbols are an essential part of the modern world. They are called pictograms or icons: stylised, non-verbal representations or instructions that help people to find their way and provide information, even if those people cannot read. Their key element is to be simple, clear and easily understood by people with a wide range of backgrounds. The organisers of the Olympic Games, both summer and winter, quickly recognised the necessity and uses of pictograms (see the chapters on Paris 1924 and London 1948). Athletes from every corner of the world compete at Olympic Games. Olympic sport pictograms have therefore played a pioneering role and enjoy a special status: for decades, their simple, unambiguous representation of athletes, typical poses and/or sports equipment have been a key element of all Olympic Games.

Sports Illustrations 1912–1960

Olympic Sports Pictograms since 1964