The Pictogram for Marathon Swimming in the Paris 2024 Games
Pictograms have been an essential part of the Olympics since Tokyo 1964. Paris 2024 is continuing that tradition. Pictograms have become a key element of the look of the Games over the years, and a unique form of expression for host countries, embodying their style and culture, as well as the spirit of the Games that they are hosting.
“The pictograms of the Olympic and Paralympic Games have long served as visual aids for spectators, but now they are reinvented as a coat of arms, creating a sense of pride, belonging and community.”
Concept
Each pictogram is composed of three elements, an axis of symmetry, a depiction of the ground and a representation of the sport it illustrates. Eight of the pictograms are shared between the Olympic and Paralympic Games.The pictograms are composed of three graphical elements: an axis of
symmetry, a depiction of the ground and a
representation of the sport that it illustrates.
The concept is a badge of honor that
represents not only the sporting discipline, but
also a family, a sense of pride, a set of values and a community. This ‘badge of honor’ is a symbol of community, an emblem, a banner of unity. It is waved proudly, carried from place to place and worn with pride, symbolizing the wearer’s belonging to their chosen sporting family.
Marathon Swimming Pictogram
History of the Pictogram in the Olympics
The use of pictograms in the Olympic and Paralympic Games dates back to the early 20th century, with graphical illustrations first appearing at the Stockholm and Paris Games of 1912 and 1924, respectively. However, it was not until the Tokyo Games in 1964 that pictograms truly came into their own, with a wide range of symbols used to represent each sport for the first time. Since then, each host country has sought to increase the level of creativity in their pictograms.
The Mexico City Games in 1968 saw a major stylistic change, while the Barcelona Games in 1992 took it one step further by creating pictograms that reflected the visual identity and emblem of the Games, using brush painting techniques. At the Lillehammer Games in 1994, pictograms were used to tell a story for the first time, paying homage to the host country’s culture and heritage through an artistic interpretation of a man on skis in a 4,000-year-old rock carving discovered in Tro, northern Norway.
The Athens Games in 2004 made a direct reference to the Ancient Olympic Games in their pictograms, while the Sydney Games in 2000 centered their pictograms on the boomerang, one of Australia’s national cultural symbols. Most recently, the Tokyo Games in 2021 broke new ground by devising an animated version of each pictogram to represent humanity’s entry into the digital age and create new uses for these symbols.
Look of the Olympic Games
As we look forward to the Paris 2024 Games, the organizers have revealed that the visual identity of the event has been built around four major themes: celebration, transfer, rationalization, and personalization.
One of the key features of the Paris 2024 Games will be the use of bright, vibrant colors throughout the venues, which is intended to represent the worldwide celebration of sports. Additionally, the organizers have developed a joint theme for both the Paralympic and Olympic Games, which will ensure that there are minimal differences between the two events. This approach is aimed at rationalizing costs and reducing the environmental impact of the Games.
By taking this joint approach to the design of the Paralympic and Olympic Games, Paris 2024 aims to create a cohesive and inclusive atmosphere that promotes a sense of community among athletes, organizers, and spectators alike.
Statistics for Paris 2024
The XXXIII Olympiad
26 July to 11 August 2024
19 days of competition (handball, football and rugby take place from July 24th)
206 nations
28 sports (+ 4 additional sports)
329 events
206 nations
28 sports + (including 4 additional sports)
329 events
762 sessions
10500 athletes
The Paris Paralympic Games, which will take place between 28 August and 8 September 2024, will be the largest Paralympic Games in history, featuring 549 medal events contested across 22 Para sports.
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