The jagged, multi-colored emblem, features four bold numerals representing 2012, with the signature Olympic Rings emblazoned within the digit zero.
But Mohammad Aliabadi, head of the Iranian National Olympic Committee, said Monday that the 3-1/2-year-old logo was undermining the event and accused the British organizers of indulging in “racism,” the Iranian Labor News Agency reported.
“Unfortunately, we all are witnessing that the upcoming Olympics … face a serious challenge, definitely spawned out of some people’s racist spirit,” Aliabadi said in a letter to International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge.
“Racism” means bias against a body of people based on race or ethnicity, but Aliabadi appeared to be accusing Rogge of bias in favor of a political movement, Zionism, although how a logo fit into that remained obscure at best.
“The use of the word ‘Zion’ … in the emblem of the Olympic Games 2012 is a very revolting act,” he wrote, warning that it would “affect the participation of several countries, especially like Iran which insists on following principles and values.”
Sebastian Coe, head of the London 2012 Olympic Committee, unveiled the logo in June 2007 to an immediate barrage of public criticism that it was hideous and a waste of money. It reportedly cost $650,000. In 3 1/2 years, many people have criticized the design—but Olympic officials said this was the first time anyone saw “Zion” written there.
Organizers have defended the logo over the years, calling it is “modern, bold, flexible” and aimed at reaching out to younger people.
Reacting to Iran’s complaint with some exasperation, the International Olympic Committee was dismissive. “Our response is as follows: The London 2012 logo represents the figure 2012—nothing else,” it said in a statement.
The committee added, “We are surprised that this complaint has been made now.”