EMBASSY OF GREECE

The Athens wreath of olive branches

A symbol identified not only with the ancient Greek spirit, but also with the tradition of our people, was the source of inspiration for the new emblem of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

The wreath of olive branches, an image connected with the city of Athens, peace, the circle of life, the Greek sky and sea, constitutes the fruit of cooperation between two companies of strategic design: the Greek company Red Design Consultants and the English-based company Wolf Olins. The selection process of the new emblem was extremely complex, as the initial number of the participants in the International Tender, reached 242 from 14 countries. The proposals for the new emblem, 690 in total, were evaluated by a Judging Committee which initially singled out three of them. Then, one of the three proposals was approved unanimously by the ATHOC Board of Directors, as well as 'with merit" by the International Olympic Committee.

The emblem, which will travel all over the world and will be seen by billions of pairs of eyes, carries and symbolizes the expectations, the effort and the mission of our country for the staging of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

Therefore, its appropriate protection and use, which will yield a significant income necessary for the staging of the Olympic Games, is required by the Organizing Committee, which has the responsibility and obligation to use it in the best possible way. This symbol is registered internationally and its use is permitted only with the written authorization of the Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games "Athens 2004".

Athens, September 30, 1999