Summer Olympic Games Logos
The 2020 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXXII Olympiad, were held in Tokyo, Japan, from July 23 to August 8, 2021. Postponed by one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Games retained the “Tokyo 2020” branding. Most events were held without spectators, making them the first Olympics played largely behind closed doors. Tokyo hosted the Summer Olympics for the second time, following 1964.
The Tokyo 2020 emblem, designed by Asao Tokolo, is a circular composition of 45 rectangular shapes arranged in a checkered pattern known as “ichimatsu moyo” in Japanese. The pattern forms a larger circle that references the traditional Japanese aesthetic while also suggesting the Olympic rings’ circular form. The rectangles come in three different shapes, representing different countries, cultures, and ways of thinking, with the composition expressing the theme “Unity in Diversity.” The emblem is rendered in indigo blue (#202B5A), a color with deep significance in Japanese textile traditions, particularly in the Edo period (1603-1867).
Meaning and Symbolism
- Ichimatsu moyo (checkered pattern): The checkered pattern is a traditional Japanese motif dating to the Edo period. Its use connects the emblem to centuries of Japanese design tradition while the geometric arrangement feels distinctly contemporary.
- Three rectangular shapes: The three different rectangle sizes represent the diversity of nations, cultures, and perspectives that the Olympics bring together. Their arrangement into a unified circle expresses “Unity in Diversity.”
- Indigo blue: The single-color palette references “ai,” traditional Japanese indigo dyeing, one of the country’s most recognizable craft traditions. The deep blue communicates elegance, sophistication, and Japanese cultural identity.
- Circular composition: The overall circle references both the Olympic rings and the Japanese aesthetic of harmony and completeness. The circle also suggests the globe, reinforcing the Games’ international character.
Design and History
The Tokyo 2020 emblem has an unusual history. The original emblem, designed by Kenjiro Sano, was unveiled in July 2015 but withdrawn two months later amid accusations of plagiarism. The Belgian designer Olivier Debie claimed it too closely resembled his logo for the Theatre de Liege. The controversy led to a complete restart of the design process.
A new open competition attracted over 14,000 submissions. Asao Tokolo’s checkered design was selected in April 2016. Tokolo is an artist known for geometric pattern work, and his submission reflected a deep engagement with traditional Japanese design motifs rather than the figurative or typographic approaches that dominate most Olympic emblems.
The emblem’s purely geometric, non-representational nature set it apart from contemporary Olympic design. It does not depict a building, a landscape, or a human figure. It is a pattern, and its meaning comes from the cultural associations of that pattern rather than from literal representation. This approach was characteristically Japanese in its restraint and its faith that a viewer would understand the cultural reference.
The postponement of the Games from 2020 to 2021 due to COVID-19 created an unprecedented branding situation. The organizing committee decided to retain “Tokyo 2020” across all materials rather than rebrand as “Tokyo 2021,” recognizing that the brand identity had already been established across merchandise, infrastructure, and communications. The emblem remained unchanged throughout.
Typography
“TOKYO 2020” is set beneath the emblem in a custom sans-serif typeface with geometric proportions that echo the rectangular shapes in the emblem. The letterforms are clean and modern, with a slight condensation that gives them a Japanese aesthetic of precision and economy. The bilingual presentation includes Japanese characters in official contexts.
FAQ
Q: Why is the Tokyo Olympics called “2020” when they were held in 2021?
A: The Games were postponed one year due to COVID-19 but retained the “Tokyo 2020” branding because the identity was already established across merchandise, infrastructure, and communications.
Q: Who designed the Tokyo 2020 emblem?
A: Asao Tokolo, a Japanese artist known for geometric pattern work. His design was selected from over 14,000 submissions after the original emblem was withdrawn due to plagiarism allegations.
Q: What is the checkered pattern in the Tokyo 2020 logo?
A: It is an ichimatsu moyo, a traditional Japanese checkered pattern popular in the Edo period (1603-1867). The pattern is composed of three different rectangular shapes representing different countries, cultures, and ways of thinking.
The Tokyo 2020 emblem and Olympic rings are trademarks of the International Olympic Committee. This page is for educational and reference purposes only.
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