Will Chicago's Logo Stir The Soul At The 2016 Summer Olympics?

Chicago 2016 has been getting ready to submit their bid to host the 2016 summer Olympics. In preparation of wining the bid, a new, colorful logo has been designed. This Olympic logo consists of a white central star with five points. Behind the star are bands of colour. The top half of the bands are a fusion of red and orange, while the bottom half are a blend of green and blue. The Chicago 2016 organization states that the design is “universal” and each component is deliberate and has a meaning.

The star was designed to reflect the four stars of the city's flag. Its centralized location on the logo is intended to symbolize putting the athletes at the center of the Olympic games as they should be the center of attention during this momentous event. Since ancient times, stars have always been seen as a guiding light and a symbol of hope. The star offers hope for the city in the bid to host the Olympic games. The five points of the star represent a compass, reaching out to all other parts of the world. Each point has a meaning; hope, respect, harmony, friendship, excellence and celebration.

The red-orange and blue-green columns of color reflect the shape of buildings and thus represent the architecture of the City of Chicago, its lakes and parks. It also represents the City's aspiration of reaching the world and providing premium facilities for the Olympics.

On May 16 2007, Chicago unveiled a logo that contained the Olympic torch. However, it was forced to redesign it, as according to the International Olympic Committee, no Olympic logos are allowed to contain the Olympic torch, flame, flag or motto.

The City's Olympic motto “stir the soul” is also reflected in this Olympic logo. The bands of colour can also be interpreted as medal ribbons. Their red color also represents passion and the orange representing the city's skyline. The excitement and anticipation that stirs the soul is represented in the people's passion and their desire to reach the top and achieve their goals of hosting the Olympics and winning as many medals as possible.

The new Chicago Olympic logo has been given the 'star treatment' so to speak, by both it's designers and the citizens of Chicago. This design that has been dubbed version 2.0 is here to stay, and many anticipate that should Chicago win the bid to host the Olympics, another star may be added to the Chicago flag.