Maine Flag and Banner

The International Olympic Committee flag

The IOC (International Olympic Committee) flag is a perfect example of a flag used as a symbol that has worldwide recognition.

The Olympic Games flag flown over the host stadium for the duration of the games is passed from the mayor of the current host city to the representative of the next Games host in four years time.* This not only ends the current games but introduces the next host of the Games in four years time. The first Olympic flag was stolen after the Antwerp Games in 1920 and was not recovered for many years. A second flag was made for the Paris Games held in 1924 but still referred to as the Antwerp flag. This flag was used for both the Summer and Winter Olympics until 1952 when the Oslo Games mayor presented the IOC a new flag specifically for the Winter Games. The 1924 flag continued its journey at the Summer Games until the 1988 Games in Seoul when it was retired.
In 1914, the design of the flag was conceived by Baron Pierre de Coubertin who is known as the founder of the modern Olympic Games. His description sets the overall design:

"The Olympic flag [] has a white background, with five interlaced rings in the centre: blue, yellow, black, green and red []. This design is symbolic; it represents the five continents of the world, united by Olympism, while the six colours are those that appear on all the national flags of the world at the present time." Pierre de Coubertin
Note that the five continents were designated as Africa, Asia, the Americas (North & South), Europe, and Oceania. The Antarctic does not have athletes to send to the Games.

Often, host cities design a flag that integrates the Olympic rings to distinguish the year and location of the Games. Even though the overall design of Olympic rings and color are protected, indeed, almost all countries have laws protecting the Olympic flag and the rings from exploitation, there was never any specificity beyond what Baron de Coubertin had put forth. This leaves a great deal of room for interpretation by host cities to design their individual flags. (Historically our early American flags had the same problems associated with specificity.) Most common changes include the hue of the basic colors and the style of the rings. These flags afford a wonderful opportunity for flag collectors to add to their collection.
Sources:
http://www.gettysburgflag.com/blog/flag-information/the-flags-of-the-olympics/ https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-the-olympic-Games
http://olympic-museum.de/various/flag.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_symbols

Enhance your Olympic Games viewing by displaying the country flags of the medal winners. Have an Olympics party and invite each guest to bring a flag of the U.S. and other countries they support. You can have fun with our large stock of country 4”x 6” mounted flags at a $1.65 each or with a large 3’x 5’ world flag on your wall.

Maine Flag and Banner

824 Roosevelt Trail, Unit #4

Windham, ME 04062

(207) 893-0339

Store Hours
Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Please give us a call if you
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Maine Flag & Banner is a unique family owned store located in the beautiful Sebago Lakes Region of southern Maine. Our store is full of fun colorful things that blow in the wind. Windsocks, spinners and banners abound.
Looking for flags? Your pride of country, state and heritage can be displayed proudly with U.S., state, military, or foreign flags, all made in America.
If you have a business, the multitude of choices in colors and sizes of OPEN flags lets your customers know you are there and ready to serve. For home owners, a large variety of decorative, seasonal, sports and everyday banners make your home stand out and are in stock for your convenience.
Of course, we carry all the hardware and accessories to show off all the fun stuff. Maine Flag also sells flagpoles from 15' and up to 100'!
Come on in for a friendly, helpful and knowledgeable experience.