Tehran: Iran has indicated that it would not take part in the London Olympics 2012, terming the Olympics logo ‘racist’ as it looks like the word ‘Zion’ which is a biblical term for Jerusalem.
In this regard, Iran’s National Olympic Committee (NOC) sent a letter to the International Olympic Committee criticising the logo and its perceived link to the city.
The letter sent by Bahram Afsharzadeh, the secretary general of Iran’s NOC, to IOC president Jacques Rogge stated : “There is no doubt that negligence of the issue from your side may affect the presence of some countries in the games, especially Iran which abides by commitment to the values and principles.”
The letter also urges other Muslim states to oppose the ‘racist’ logo.
A statement, meanwhile, from the London Organising Committee said that the logo was launched in 2007 following testing and consultation.
“We are surprised that this complaint has been made now,” it said.
The London logo represents ‘2012’ in four jagged multi-coloured figures.
It is also interesting to mention here that three days after the launch of the logo in 2007, it was widely regarded as a badly designed logo. Nearly 30,000 people had signed an online petition demanding its withdrawal at that time.
Dear TNT Reader,
At The News Tribe, our mission is to bring you free, independent, and unbiased news and content that keeps you informed and empowered. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism, as we understand that we are a platform for truth.
Apart from independent global news coverage, we also commit our unique focus on the Muslim world. In an age marked by the troubling rise of Islamophobia and widespread misrepresentation of Muslims in Western media, we strive to provide accurate and fair coverage.
But to continue doing so, we need your support. Even a small donation of 1$ can make a big difference. Your contribution will help us maintain the quality of our news and counteract the negative narratives that are so prevalent.
Please consider donating today to ensure we can keep delivering the news that matters. Together, we can make a positive impact on the world, and work towards a more inclusive, informed global society.
Donate Monthly Subscription Annual Subscription