Those Iconic Olympic Rings

the Olympic Rings image by Agzam @pixabay

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).

2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony

One of the best parts of this extremely cold and snowy month has been the 2026 Winter Olympics which is still taking place in beautiful Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. There have been so many memorable moments, but I have to admit that I have a favorite, and it was not a competition. I dearly loved the pageantry of the opening ceremony. The opening ceremony was a thing of beauty and elegance highlighting Italian cultural contributions to the world from art and music, to architecture, to science, to fashion. As the spectacle began, two dancers dressed as angels portrayed the sculpture “Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss,” by Italian artist Antonio Canova. They were followed by human musical notes dancing alongside caricatures of Italian opera composers Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini, and Gioachino Rossini.

The most exciting part (IMHO) of the gala event featured three giant paint tubes suspended 57 meters above the stage that appeared to pour red, yellow, and blue “paint” (actually fabric) over dancers in quirky costumes representing the Colosseum, clothing patterns and scissors, coffee makers, and more, in all the colors of the rainbow.

This stunning “Fantasia” segment continued as aerialists performed on two rings (representing the mountain life and the big city life in and around Milan) that rose high above the crowd. The two rings (minus the dancers) were then joined in the air by three more rings, and all merged and ignited into the iconic symbol that everyone recognizes. It was thrilling to watch! It also incited my curiosity about those Olympic rings. Where did they come from and what do they mean? So I did some quick research:

The Olympic Rings

Designed in 1913 by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the Olympic rings represent the union of the five inhabited continents (Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania) and the meeting of athletes for the Games. The intersecting rings are of equal size in colors of blue, yellow, black, green, and red, usually on a white field. The specific colors were chosen from all national flags at the time of the design’s creation, meaning the emblem represents all nations. (While some interpretations associate specific colors with specific continents, the original intent was primarily focused on the inclusion of all national flag colors.) According to Baron Coubertin, a French educator and historian, co-founder of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and its second president:

“These five rings represent the five parts of the world now won over to the cause of Olympism and ready to accept its fecund rivalries. What is more, the six colors thus combined reproduce those of all nations without exception.”

The rings publicly debuted in 1920 and have remained nearly unchanged to this day, a symbol of global unity and equality.

Wouldn’t it be a wonderful thing if we could all apply that philosophy to our own individual lives, viewing all humanity with equality through the loving eyes of God? In fact, according to the International Olympic Committee, there are three official Olympic values (that in my opinion, concur with our Lord’s expectations of us): excellence, respect, and friendship. Those three values “constitute the foundation on which the Olympic Movement builds its activities to promote sport, culture and education with a view to building a better world” (IOC).

The article “The Legacy of the Olympic Rings” says, “More than just a logo, the Olympic rings are a powerful symbol of unity, solidarity, and harmony among diverse nations. The interlocking design signifies the global gathering of athletes who transcend geographic and political boundaries to compete in a spirit of fair play and mutual respect. This symbolism is deeply rooted in the Olympic Charter, which promotes a peaceful society that is concerned with the respect of human dignity.”