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Tokyo 2020; Visual Identity Torch Relay

Emblem

Image: ©The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games

 

Design Concept

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay Emblem incorporates three rectangular shapes arranged to depict the dynamic flames of a torch. In addition, a “ukiyo-e” woodblock printing technique known as “fukibokashi” has been used to produce graduated tones across two colours. One of these – vermilion – produces an energetic, loving and passionate image, and is combined with ochraceous, reminiscent of the earth, to create a festive feeling evoking Japan as well as the effect of a flame.

 

Visual identity

Image: ©The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games
Image: ©The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games
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Tokyo 2020; Torch Design

Video

 

Design Concept

The torch bears the motif of a cherry blossom, Japan’s most familiar and best-loved flower. With the arrival of the cherry blossom season in March 2020, the Olympic Torch will be integrated with the “Hope Lights Our Way” concept of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay and will commence its journey across Japan.

Uniting tradition and modern technology, the shape of the torch resembles that of a Japanese traditional “Sakuramon” cherry blossom emblem. It was shaped into this form using the same aluminium extrusion technology used in the manufacture of Japan’s famous bullet trains. It forms a seamless, single piece symbolising the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay, created by fusing Japanese tradition and modern technology.

The manufacture of the torch embodies the spirit of recovery and consideration for sustainability. Aluminium construction waste from temporary housing built in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake was used to create it, transforming materials that witnessed the rebuilding of shattered lives into a symbol of peace. This will convey to the world the extent to which the affected areas are recovering, one step at a time.

The torch is also designed to depict the shape of a flame. The five flames generated from the petal unite at the centre of the torch, lighting the way with greater brilliance. A number of technological innovations have been deployed in the combustion section that lights the torch, including catalytic reaction.

The weight and shape of the torch grip is designed to make it easy for anyone to handle. It includes a positioning mark indicating the front of the torch designed for those with a visual impairment. The torch is simply created for everyone.

Specifications:
– Length: 710 mm
– Weight: 1.2 kg (approx. 1kg body plus 200g fuel cell)
– Colour: Sakura gold
– Main material: Aluminium (30% of which is sourced from recycled aluminium recovered from temporary housing)

 

Images

Image: ©The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games
Image: ©The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games
Image: ©The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games
Image: ©The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games
Image: ©The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games
Image: ©The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games
Image: ©The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games
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YOG – Lausanne 2020; Pictograms

Image: Lausanne 2020

 

Image: Lausanne 2020 on Twitter

 

Press release by Lausanne 2020:

Lausanne 2020 reveals its pictograms 300 days before kick-off
Pictograms, graphic representations of sports disciplines, are a core element of the visual expression of the Olympic Games. In line with its ambition to active involve young people in the preparation and organization of the event, Lausanne 2020 has entrusted the development of the pictograms to ERACOM (Ecole romande d’arts et communication de Lausanne), a Lausanne-based arts school. With 300 days to go before the Opening Ceremony, the pictograms were official unveiled today by Lausanne 2020.

ERACOM, whose apprentices have already created Lausanne 2020’s mascot “Yodli”, which was introduced to the public early this year, gathered three classes from its graphics department for this new project. A total of 36 apprentices worked together to produce the 16 pictograms, which represent each of the winter sports included in the Lausanne 2020 programme.

Upon the unveiling of the pictograms, Adrien Jenni, Director of ERACOM, said: “We are very proud of these young first-year apprentices, who showed a lot of ambition and hard work towards this one-year project. From around thirty initial proposals, three were shortlisted, with the winner named by a jury including representatives of ERACOM, Lausanne 2020 and the IOC. Just like the mascot, we are delighted to see these pictograms come to life and contribute to the identity of the 2020 Youth Games.”

Once the final pictograms were chosen, a class of fourth year students from the interactive media design programme worked on their animation. These animated pictograms are visible today and will be used on all Lausanne 2020 digital platforms, before and during the Games.

Reflecting on the project, Viviane Morey, coordinator of the Lausanne 2020 projects at ERACOM, said: “To draw inspiration, we mainly focused on the athletes’ movements while practicing the different disciplines. From painting to drawing, and even some experiments using water in the schoolyard to practice Chinese calligraphy, various creative techniques were used! And we are very happy with the result. For us, it is a great source of pride to be able to contribute to the development of an Olympic event.”

Ian Logan, Director General of Lausanne 2020 also expressed his gratitude towards the project, adding: “The success of Lausanne 2020 will partly be measured by its impact within schools. Today, hundreds of young people are involved in the preparation of Lausanne 2020, developing new skills and knowledge in a variety of areas. The commitment of the youth is part of our project’s DNA and I would like to thank ERACOM for this high-quality work and fruitful collaboration. We look forward to working on more projects together.”

The Medal Design Competition for Lausanne 2020 is now open. Visit medal-design-competition.com for the rules and guidelines.

 

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Publication: Mitigating biodiversity impacts of new sports venues (IUCN)

Abstract
Wherever a new sports venue is built, or the refurbishment of an existing venue is undertaken, it is likely that biodiversity will be affected by that development, although the significance of impacts on biodiversity – both negative and positive – will vary enormously from sport to sport and location to location. Sports organisations, public authorities and financial institutions as well as those involved in the actual construction and decommissioning of venues all have a role to play in managing the range of impacts that sport venues may have on biodiversity. This includes implementing different measures that can be taken to mitigate any negative impacts and adopting approaches that contribute to biodiversity conservation. Moreover, with careful planning and design, new sports venues and the expansion of existing sites or temporary facilities can, in some cases, even contribute to an overall gain of biodiversity. This report offers in-depth guidance on how to integrate biodiversity considerations in the development of a new venue or a temporary facility, including five checklists covering all aspects from the early planning stage and site selection to the decommissioning.

Imprint: Gland, Switzerland : IUCN, 2019
Physical Description: xii, 80p. : ill.
Publication Year: 2019
ISBN: 978-2-8317-1954-2
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.CH.2019.02.en

 

You can download this publication here.

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Tokyo 2020; 500 Days to go!

Image: ©The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games

Today marks 500 days to go until the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. The Tokyo Organising Committee has shared a number of videos with milestones from recent years:

 

 

The Games of the XXXII Olympiad (Tokyo 2020) will take place from 24 July to 9 August 2020. You can read more about Tokyo 2020 on this page.
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Tokyo 2020; Pictograms unveiled

The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games has unveiled the design of the pictograms for the next Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Facts & Figures

  • A refinement of the Tokyo 1964 pictograms
  • Designer: Masaaki Hiromura (1954, graphic designer)
  • 50 Designs
  • 33 Sports
  • Two sets: Frame type and Free type
  • Colour variations: Blue (like the Tokyo 2020 emblems) and five other traditional Japanese colours: kurenai, ai, sakura, fuji and matsuba.

 

Concept video

 

Introduction video

 

Pictograms Frame type

Image: ©The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games

 

Pictograms Free type

Image: ©The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games

 

“It is a real honour to have participated in the design of the Tokyo 2020 sport pictograms. I have tried to express the dynamic beauty of the athletes through these pictograms, while respecting the legacy bequeathed by the pioneers of the Japanese design industry in their designs for the Tokyo 1964 Games. The 2020 designs took us almost two years to complete and they embody the thoughtful input of the many people involved. I hope that these pictograms will inspire everyone and help generate excitement for the different sports at Tokyo 2020, and that they will colourfully decorate the Tokyo 2020 Games.”

Masaaki Hiromura, designer of the Tokyo 2020 pictograms

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Tokyo 2020; Test Events Schedule (March 2019)

Update
– Sport Climbing: Dates of competition have been moved from Aug.30-Sep.1, 2019 to March 6-8, 2020.
– Volleyball: Test event schedule has been unveiled.

 

DateVenueSportEventOrganiser
9-16 September 2018Enoshima Yacht HarbourSailingSailing's World Cup Series EnoshimaWorld Sailing/Japan Sailing Federation
5-7 October 2018Tatsumi Water Polo CentreAquatics (Water Polo)Japan Swimming ChampionshipsJapan Swimming Federation
27-30 June 2019AGF Field / Musashino Forest Sport PlazaModern Pentathlon2019 UIPM World Cup FinalUnion Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM)
6-7 July 2019Tokyo International ForumWeightliftingREADY STEADY TOKYO - WeightliftingThe Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games / Japan Weightlifting Association
12-18 July 2019Yumenoshima Park Archery FieldArcheryREADY STEADY TOKYO - ArcheryThe Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games
18-21 July 2019Tsurigasaki Surfing BeachSurfingREADY STEADY TOKYO - SurfingThe Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games
21 July 2019Start : Musashinonomori Park / Finish : Fuji International SpeedwayCycling (Road)READY STEADY TOKYO - Cycling (Road)The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games
23-28 July 2019Musashino Forest Sport PlazaBadmintonDaihatsu Yonex Japan Open 2019 Badminton ChampionshipsNippon Badminton Association
24-28 July 2019Shiokaze ParkVolleyball (Beach)FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour 2019 4-star TokyoFédération Internationale de Volleyball
7-11 August 2019Sea Forest WaterwayRowing2019 World Rowing Junior ChampionshipsWorld Rowing Federation
12-14 August 2019Equestrian Park / Sea Forest Cross-Country CourseEquestrian (Eventing)READY STEADY TOKYO - Equestrian (Eventing)The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games / Japan Equestrian Federation
14-16 August 2019Kasumigaseki Country ClubGolf25th 2019 Japan Junior Golf ChampionshipJapan Golf Association
15-18 August 2019Odaiba Marine ParkTriathlon2019 Tokyo ITU World Olympic Qualification Event / 2019 ITU Triathlon Mixed Relay Series Tokyo / 2019 Tokyo ITU Paratriathlon World Cup2019 ITU Olympic Qualification Event Tokyo Organizing Committee (Tentative)
17-21 August 2019Oi Hockey StadiumHockeyREADY STEADY TOKYO - HockeyThe Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games
17-22 August 2019 (with pre-competition activities 15-16 August 2019)Enoshima Yacht HarbourSailingREADY STEADY TOKYO - SailingThe Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games
20-25 August 2019 (TBC)Saitama Super ArenaBasketballInternational Basketball Games 2019 (TBC)Japan Basketball Association
25 August - 1 September 2019Nippon BudokanJudo2019 World Judo ChampionshipsInternational Judo Federation
6-8 September 2019 (9 Sep. 2019)Nippon BudokanKarate (Kata / Kumite)2019 Karate 1 - Premier League Tokyo READY STEADY TOKYO - Karate on the following day of 2019 Karate 1 - Premier League Tokyo)World Karate Federation (The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games)
12-15 September 2019Sea Forest WaterwayCanoe (Sprint)READY STEADY TOKYO - Canoe (Sprint)The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games
15 September 2019Meijijingu Gaien (Start / Finish)Athletics (Marathon)Marathon Grand ChampionshipJapan Association of Athletics Federations
26-27 September 2019Tokyo International ForumPowerliftingREADY STEADY TOKYO - PowerliftingThe Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games / Japanese Para-powerlifting Federation
27-28 September 2019Makuhari Messe Hall ATaekwondoREADY STEADY TOKYO - TaekwondoThe Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games
28-29 September 2019Makuhari Messe Hall CGoalball2019 Japan Para Goalball ChampionshipsJapanese Para-Sports Association
TBCTBCAquatics (Marathon Swimming)READY STEADY TOKYO - Aquatics (Marathon Swimming)The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games
3-5 October 2019Makuhari Messe Hall AWrestlingREADY STEADY TOKYO - WrestlingThe Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games
5-6 October 2019Fukushima Azuma Baseball StadiumSoftball52nd Japan Women’s Softball League - Division 1 Section 8 in FukushimaJapan Softball Association / Japan Women's Softball League Organization
6 October 2019Izu MTB CourseCycling (Mountain Bike)READY STEADY TOKYO - Cycling (Mountain Bike)The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games
12-13 October 2019Ariake Urban Sports ParkCycling (BMX Racing)READY STEADY TOKYO - Cycling (BMX Racing)The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games
23 October - 3 November 2019Ariake Tennis ParkTennisThe 94th Mitsubishi All Japan Tennis ChampionshipsJapan Tennis Association
25-27 October 2019Kasai Canoe Slalom CentreCanoe (Slalom)READY STEADY TOKYO - Canoe (Slalom)The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games
On holdOn holdBoxingOn holdOn hold
6-10 November 2019Tokyo Metropolitan GymnasiumTable Tennis2019 ITTF Team World CupInternational Table Tennis Federation
13-17 November 2019Yoyogi National StadiumPara BadmintonJapan Para-Badminton International 2019Japan Para-Badminton Federation Inc.
21-24 November 2019Yoyogi National StadiumHandballJapan Cup 2019 Tokyo / 71st Japan Handball Championship, Men's DivisionJapan Handball Association
28 November - 1 December 2019Ariake Gymnastics CentreGymnastics (Trampoline)34th FIG Trampoline Gymnastics World ChampionshipsFédération Internationale de Gymnastique / Japan Gymnastics Association
13-15 December 2019Makuhari Messe Hall BFencingPrince Takamado Trophy World CupFederation Japonaise d’Escrime
28 February - 1 March 2020Ariake Gymnastics CentreBoccia2020 Japan Para Championships BocciaJapanese Para-Sports Association
6-8 March 2020Aomi Urban Sports ParkSport ClimbingREADY STEADY TOKYO - Sport ClimbingThe Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games
12-15 March 2020Yoyogi National StadiumWheelchair Rugby2020 Japan Para Wheelchair Rugby ChampionshipsJapanese Para-Sports Association
4-5 April 2020Ariake Gymnastics CentreGymnastics (Artistic)FIG Individual All-Around World Cup 2020Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique / Japan Gymnastics Association
6 April 2020Ariake Gymnastics CentreGymnastics (Rhythmic)READY STEADY TOKYO - Gymnastics (Rhythmic)The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games
11-12 April 2020Izu VelodromeCycling (Track)READY STEADY TOKYO - Cycling (Track)The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games
11-12 April 2020Tatsumi Water Polo CentreAquatics (Water Polo)Test MatchJapan Swimming Federation
14-15 April 2020Tokyo Aquatics CentreAquatics (Swimming)READY STEADY TOKYO - Aquatics (Swimming)The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games
16 April 2020 Tokyo Aquatics CentrePara SwimmingREADY STEADY TOKYO - Para SwimmingThe Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games
21-26 April 2020Tokyo Aquatics CentreAquatics (Diving)FINA Diving World Cup 2020Fédération Internationale de Natation
21-26 April 2020Ariake ArenaVolleyball2020 Volleyball International Friendly Games (TBC)Japan Volleyball Association
22 April 2020Ariake Urban Sports ParkSkateboardingREADY STEADY TOKYO - SkateboardingThe Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games
25-26 April 2020 (or only 1day either on 25 or 26 Apr.)Ajinomoto StadiumRugbyAsia Sevens Invitational 2020 (TBC)Japan Rugby Football Union (TBC)
April 2020 (TBC)Ariake Urban Sports ParkCycling (BMX Freestyle)READY STEADY TOKYO - Cycling (BMX Freestyle)The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games
30 April - 3 May 2020Tokyo Aquatics CentreAquatics (Artistic Swimming)FINA Artistic Swimming Olympic Games Qualification Tournament 2020Fédération Internationale de Natation
April 2020 (TBC)Asaka Shooting RangeShootingTBCTBC
2-6 May 2020 (TBC)Ariake Urban Sports ParkBasketball (3x3)International Basketball 3x3 Games 2020 (TBC)Japan Basketball Association
2-3 May 2020Olympic StadiumPara Athletics2020 Japan Para Athletics ChampionshipsJapanese Para-Sports Association
5-6 May 2020Olympic StadiumAthleticsTokyo Challenge Track Meet 2020Japan Association of Athletics Federations
TBCTBCFootballTBCTBC
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Olympic Art Competitions: Winners in Architecture and Town Planning

Olympic Stadium Amsterdam 1928. Design by Jan Wils. Photo: Nederlands Instituut voor Militaire Historie on Flickr. (CC BY 4.0)

 

From 1928 to 1948, art competitions were part of the Olympic Games. In this post an overview of all winners in the categories Architecture and Town Planning.

Architecture

Olympics Gold medal Silver medal Bronze medal
Stockholm 1912 Eugène-Edouard Monod and Alphonse Laverrière (SUI)
Building plan of a modern stadium		 – –
Antwerp 1920 – Holger Sinding-Larsen (NOR)
Project for a gymnastics school		 –
Paris 1924 – Alfréd Hajós and Dezső Lauber (HUN)
Plan for a stadium		 Julien Médecin (MON)
Stadium for Monte Carlo
Amsterdam 1928 Jan Wils (NED)
Olympic Stadium at Amsterdam		 Ejnar Mindedal Rasmussen (DEN)
Swimming pool at Ollerup		 Jacques Lambert (FRA)
Stadium at Versailles
Los Angeles 1932 Gustave Saacké, Pierre Montenot, Pierre Bailly (FRA)
Design for a “Cirque pour Toros”		  John Russell Pope (USA)
Design for the Payne Whitney Gymnasium, New Haven, Conn.		 Richard Konwiarz (GER)
Design for a “Schlesierkampfbahn” in the Sport Park of Breslau
Berlin 1936 Hermann Kutschera (AUT)
Skiing Stadium		 Werner March (GER)
Reich Sport Field		 Hermann Stiegholzer and Herbert Kastinger (AUT)
Sporting Centre in Vienna
London 1948 Adolf Hoch (AUT)
“Skisprungschanze auf dem Kobenzl”		 Alfred Rinesch (AUT)
“Watersports Centre in Carinthia”		  Nils Olsson (SWE)
“Baths and Sporting Hall for Gothenburg”

 

Town Planning

Olympics Gold medal Silver medal Bronze medal
Amsterdam 1928 Alfred Hensel (GER)
Stadium at Nuremberg		  Jacques Lambert (FRA)
Stadium at Versailles		 Max Laeuger (GER)
Municipal Park at Hamburg
Los Angeles 1932 John Hughes (GBR)
Design for a Sports and Recreation Centre with Stadium, for the City of Liverpool		 Jens Klemmensen (DEN)
Design for a Stadium and Public Park		 André Verbeke (BEL)
Design for a “Marathon Park”
Berlin 1936 Werner March and Walter March (GER)
Reich Sport Field		 Charles Downing Lay (USA)
Marine Park, Brooklyn		 Theo Nußbaum (GER)
Municipal Planning and Sporting Centre in Cologne
London 1948 Yrjö Lindegren (FIN)
“The Centre of Athletics in Varkaus, Finland”		 Werner Schindler and Edy Knupfer (SUI)
“Swiss Federal Sports and Gymnastics Training Centre”		 Ilmari Niemeläinen (FIN)
“The Athletic Centre in Kemi, Finland”

 

Source: Art competitions at the Summer Olympics, Wikipedia (last visited Mar. 6, 2019).

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Beijing 2022; Big Air Venue Shougang Industrial Park

Image: Beijing 2022 on Twitter.

 

Location