After a controversial winner was heavily questioned late last year, the logo for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 put out an open call for new submissions. The result: 14,599 designs that have now been shortlisted to four.
In September, the then-winning logo submitted by designer Kenjiro Sano was scrapped after accusations of plagiarism were raised. Apparently, Sano’s logo looked a little too much like that of the Theatre de Liege, an arts center in Belgium. Despite Sano denying any wrongdoing, he subsequently withdrew his emblem resulting in the need for new designs to choose from.
This is #Tokyo2020Emblems design A “Harmonized chequered emblem”
Give us your views https://t.co/NtQVdCPOpd pic.twitter.com/N6AfKdIvTP— Tokyo 2020 (@Tokyo2020) April 8, 2016
Even as this year’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics draw near, the Tokyo Organizing Committee knew that they could not afford a repeat of the 2015 logo debacle.
This is #Tokyo2020Emblems design B “Connecting Circle, Expanding Harmony”
Give us your views https://t.co/NtQVdCPOpd pic.twitter.com/L6og0BIVYM— Tokyo 2020 (@Tokyo2020) April 8, 2016
The “final four” that have been shortlisted also include logos for the Paralympic Games, which will also be held in the Japanese capital. All feature a circular decal atop the words “Tokyo 2020,” and either the five Olympic rings or the red-blue-and-green “three agitos” insignia that represents the Paralympic Games.
This is #Tokyo2020Emblems design C “Surpassing One’s Personal Best”
Give us your views https://t.co/NtQVdCPOpd pic.twitter.com/9rTsm2uQ3J— Tokyo 2020 (@Tokyo2020) April 8, 2016
Most draw on symbolism rooted in Japanese culture; the “harmonized checkered emblem,” for example, uses the “ichimatsu moyo” checkered pattern popular during the time when Tokyo was known as Edo. The morning glory flower, seen in the “flowering of emotions” design, is another motif from Japan’s Edo period.
This is #Tokyo2020Emblems design D “Flowering of Emotions”
Give us your views https://t.co/NtQVdCPOpd pic.twitter.com/BBrDkA8U23— Tokyo 2020 (@Tokyo2020) April 8, 2016
To avoid a repeat of the Sano controversy, the Tokyo Organizing Committee said, “we have implemented a series of format and design checks on all entries, and have received the cooperation of design experts during the design checks. We have also undertaken both domestic and international trademark verification procedures.”
The Committee is also welcoming public opinion on the shortlisted logos until April 17. The 2020 Olympics will be the first in Asia since Beijing hosted in 2008 and the first Summer Olympics to be held in Tokyo since 1964. The city of Nagano hosted the Winter Olympics in 1998.
