The curtains have finally come down on the London 2012 Olympics and what a spectacle the last two weeks have been! Not everyone has left the games happy but for most of us spectators, the games have left memorable images etched in our minds. Be they images of our favourite atheletes achieving super-human physical feats, or pictures of various picturesque Olympic venues or even the images of the off field festivities at the country houses.
From a personal perspective, when the memories of the awe instiling Usain Bolt and our very own David Rudisha have been eroded with time, the colourful images of the Olympics will fondly remain with me for a long, long, time. Not that I attended the games, (how I wish I did) but courtesy of sattelite broadcasted videos of magnificent pegeantry, colourful costumes and flags, the mood was so real even right here at home.
Saying it in Colour
The Competitions aside, the Olympics as an event is a global display of races, cultures and styles. The 204 countries that were represented in this summer’s games brought together a variety of colours that harmoniously blended in one homogeneous mix. In this regard, the London games just played its role in furthering the continuation of a century old tradition.
The culture and history of the Olympics is replete with colourful symbolism. For starters, the logo: 5 interlocking circular rings in blue, yellow, black, green & red on a white background symbolise the different regions of the world and unity. Originally though, these colours were representative of the colours of the flags of all the nations that were represented at the 1912 edition of the games.
Every hosting City traditionally creates an eblem/logo for their specific edition of the games. These too, are also very fascinating colourful imagery. Each emblem has a story and thinking behind it. The organisers employ creatives to come up with an image that ideally espouses their perscetive and aspirations for the games. The logo for this summer’s games in London simply spelled out “2” (left top corner), “0” (right top corner), “1” (right bottom corner) and “2” (left bottom corner) for the year 2012. While the deeper meaning of this logo remains a mystry to most, the logo will always be emblematic to the experinces and joys experienced at the London games.
London 2012 Olympics Logo
The Beijing games in 2008 were represented by a logo rich in cultural innuendo. The logo; a dancing figure stroked out in Chinese calligraphy and resembling a red seal succeeded in using cultural elements to demonstrate the attitudes and personality of the whole country.
2008 Beijing Olympics logo
As powerful as the official insignia may be, the real representation of the spirit of the Olympics are the happy faces of fans from all over the world. The colourful flags, wigs, clothes and paraphernalia speak louder than even the performances in the various events.
The spectacular shows at the opening ceremony and closing ceremony coupled with the merryment at parties at official country houses and locations across London were a true testimony of fan, good cheer, camaradarie and unity. In our minds though, it will simply remain as a picture. A very colourful picture!
Olympics closing ceremony
With London now on the rear view, Rio awaits. If Rio’s famed carnivals is anything to go by, you can bet the games will be one big festival. Goodbye London, Welcome Rio
Posted by Pambo Maridadi @ Crown Paints Kenya Ltd Email: info@crownpaints.co.ke
