Tokyo 2020 Gets Fresh Look

(ATR) A checkered blue logo is selected for the Tokyo Olympics.Organizers revealed the new emblem Monday.

The decision comes seven months after the original logo designs by artists Kenjiro Sano were scrapped over concerns the artist plagiarized his work from the logo of a Belgian theater.

The new logo is titled Harmonized Checkered Emblem and was designed by Asao Tokolo. Tokolo’s design featuring an indigo-blue and white checkered pattern was chosen over three other designs that were shortlisted on April 8. The winning design received 13 votes with no other entry receiving more than five.

"The committee found this checkered pattern to be very simple and we can feel the refined sophistication of the Japanese tradition," said logo selection committee chairman Ryohei Miyata.

"I was thinking of something like a coloring picture that everyone can add their own color to," Tokolo said. "White against indigo blue — it’s a very clean-cut expression. The games will also be held during summertime and I wanted to add some coolness into my design."

Tokolo will receive $9,000 for creating the winning designs as well as tickets to the opening ceremonies of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.

"My mind has gone blank as I just found out my design won," Tokolo said. "I put a lot of time and effort into this design as though it was my own child."

To ensure the winning logo was not plagiarized, Tokyo 2020 organizers submitted four logos and backups to copyright tests in January before releasing the final shortlisted emblems in April. One of the submitted emblems failed the test and was removed from contention.

"This logo selection process was the first of its kind," said Tokyo 2020 chief executive officer Toshiro Muto. "For us it was a challenging project, but I think it could serve as a model for future selection."

The committee also consulted the public via an online forum and through written mail. Organizers received nearly 40,000 opinions online and another 1,800 via mail.

IOC vice president John Coates, Tokyo 2020 president Yoshiro Mori and Tokyo governor Yoichi Masuzoe were all on hand for the logo ceremony.

"The new Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 emblem symbolizes important elements of the Tokyo 2020 Games vision and the underlying concepts of achieving personal best, unity in diversity and connecting to tomorrow," Coates said. "I congratulate the Tokyo 2020 team for the inclusive process that led to this selection."

Written by Kevin Nutley

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