Iran says London 2012 logo racist
Iran has protested against the already controversial logo for the
2012 Olympic Games, saying the emblem is racist and spells the word
'Zion,' the ILNA news agency reported.
The logo for the London
2012 Olympics and Para-olympics is pictured on a screen during the
launch of the brand for the Games at the Roundhouse in London, 04 June
2007. Iran have protested against the already controversial logo, saying
the emblem is racist and spells the word "Zion," the ILNA news agency
reported
Iran's national Olympic committee have written to the
International Olympic Committee (IOC) making an official complaint about
the logo and are threatening to boycott the Games.
The jagged,
multi-coloured emblem, which reportedly cost 400,000 pounds (nearly
US$650,000) features four bold numerals representing 2012, with the
signature Olympic Rings emblazoned within the digit zero.
But
Mohammad Aliabadi, head of the National Olympic Committee in the Islamic
republic, said the logo was undermining the event and accused the
British organisers of indulging in "racism," ILNA reported.
"Unfortunately,
we all are witnessing that the upcoming Olympics ... faces 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.
"The use of the word Zion by the
designer of Olympics logo ....in the emblem of the Olympics Games 2012
is a very revolting act," he added, warning that if Rogge did not act
the logo would "affect the participation of several countries,
especially like Iran which insists on following principles and values."
Zion is a biblical term which often refers to the city Jerusalem.
London
2012 Olympic Committee head Sebastian Coe unveiled the logo in June
2007 to an immediate barrage of public criticism that it was hideous and
a waste of money.
Organisers have defended the logo, saying it is "modern, bold, flexible" aimed at reaching out to youngsters.
