(ATR) - Paris 2024 revealed a new logo to represent the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics.
The design was unveiled in an hour-long ceremony televised via YouTube.
The logo uses three main elements for its design inspiration. The circular shape represents the medal which all Olympians and Paralympians try to win. The second element is the flame, which is part of the symbolism of the Games, from the torch relay to the Olympic stadium cauldron. The third element is the face of Marianne, the revolutionary symbol representing the French Republic.
Her face on the medal is symbolic of the French motto Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. The permanent face is also meant to be a tribute to women athletes and a reference to the Paris 1900 Olympicswhere women first competed.
The live program unveiling the logo took place at the Grand Rex, Europe's biggest movie theater. Teams of 24 runners, skateboarders and cyclists fanned out through Paris during the program leadingup to the release of the logo. Each of theteams made it to their location by 20:24 Monday evening in Paris, the timing release obvious.
Some of France's best-known athletes took part in the event, such as Renaud Lavillenie, world record-holder in the pole vault and Jonathan Edwards of Great Britain, the world record-holder in the triple jump.
The new logo takes the place of the one used during the city's candidacy and the organizing committee until today. On hand for the ceremony Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo; French Olympic Committee Pres. Denis Masseglia, and IOC member Guy Drut. Paris 2024 presidentTony Estanguet says the new emblem "portrays our vision of the Games".
Reported by Ed Hula.