Brief History of the Olympic Flag
The Olympic flag was first presented in 1914 by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games, and it was flown at an Olympic Games for the first time in Antwerp in 1920. It consists of a white background, symbolizing peace and purity, and five interlaced rings in blue, yellow, black, green, and red, representing the union of the five continents and the universality of sport. These colors, together with white, were chosen because at least one of them appears on every national flag in the world, reinforcing the message of inclusion and fellowship.
Since then, the Olympic flag has become one of the most recognized symbols of global sport. During opening ceremonies, it is raised to reflect the ideals of the Games: excellence, respect, and friendship. More than just an emblem, the flag serves as a reminder of the connection between peoples and cultures through peaceful competition, solidifying its place as an enduring icon of Olympism and its universal spirit.
