# Is the London Olympic Logo Racist? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 28, 2011, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-london-olympic-logo-racist/572994 "2011-02-28T23:58:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-london-olympic-logo-racist/572994/41 "2011-03-01T14:11:34Z")
Oh noes! It’s part of the protocols of the Elders of ZO-IZ. ---
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-london-olympic-logo-racist/572994/42 "2011-03-01T14:14:38Z")
I’m with Iran on this one. That logo discrimates against everyone who isn’t butt ugly. Why must the rest of us suffer with that awful image? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-london-olympic-logo-racist/572994/43 "2011-03-01T14:20:46Z")
Eh, by now isn’t stupid and ridiculous a tradition for Olympics logos and mascots? It’s practically mandatory, I think. At least this one has the amusing Lisa Simpson angle. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-london-olympic-logo-racist/572994/44 "2011-03-01T14:23:41Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > I think people are assuming that Iranian government officials take directions from the head of the Iranian government. Well its not a government official here. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-london-olympic-logo-racist/572994/45 "2011-03-01T14:23:49Z")
As bad as that logo is, it’s still better than the proposed one that looked like goatse. (No, I’m not looking that up from work…) ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-london-olympic-logo-racist/572994/46 "2011-03-01T14:28:54Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > Actually, I haven’t read any of the stories and have been going by only what I read in this thread. When I read the OP’s mention of “Iran,” I automatically assumed Ahmedinejad, because I naturally assumed that if someone in Iran was being reported as saying something demagogic, inflammatory, and irrational, then it would be Ahmedinejad. That’s not racism. If you want to accuse me of a bias against Ahmedinejad, go ahead. I have no knowledge of biases you may have against anyone and cannot comment on the same. I do think your statement shows you to be generally judgmental. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-london-olympic-logo-racist/572994/47 "2011-03-01T14:30:31Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Oh no, we might miss the Iranian women’s gymnastic team. The wrestling team OTH will be missed. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-london-olympic-logo-racist/572994/48 "2011-03-01T14:34:50Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > I have no knowledge of biases you may have against anyone and cannot comment on the same. I do think your statement shows you to be generally judgmental. I admit to having judged Ahmedinejad a demagogue with whom I associate foolish proclamations. I doubt that this shows me to be “generally judgmental,” but YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-london-olympic-logo-racist/572994/49 "2011-03-01T14:55:52Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > As bad as that logo is, it’s still better than the proposed one that looked like goatse. (No, I’m not looking that up from work…) That was for a BBC competition. It made the shortlist and made it on-screen several times. It is [here](http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.londonist.com/attachments/Matt/goatselondon.jpg&imgrefurl=http://londonist.com/2007/06/extra_extraolym.php&usg=__C4dod5hUZamnQqAoCwW6LDNwotE=&h=388&w=500&sz=118&hl=en&start=0&sig2=amCZ7_qr9-ycxdMpZEqfCQ&zoom=1&tbnid=7QVZwOYZk-vANM:&tbnh=144&tbnw=199&ei=eghtTbr8O86GhQeTlb2RDA&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbbc%2Bgoatse%2Bolympic%2Bimage%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DX%26rlz%3D1B3GGGL_enGB258GB258%26biw%3D1360%26bih%3D585%26tbs%3Disch:1%26prmd%3Divns&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=501&vpy=85&dur=3009&hovh=198&hovw=255&tx=119&ty=86&oei=eghtTbr8O86GhQeTlb2RDA&page=1&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0) (Safe for Work) ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-london-olympic-logo-racist/572994/50 "2011-03-01T15:07:01Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > Oh noes! It’s part of the protocols of the Elders of ZO-IZ. And the protocols are still being discussed in multiple standards committees. Zoik! ---
**Author:** ![gravitycrash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@gravitycrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gravitycrash)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-london-olympic-logo-racist/572994/51 "2011-03-01T15:10:51Z")
Worst logo ever. Not being able to watch the Iranian beach volleyball team makes me a sad panda. Fortunately the other female volleyball teams will still be there. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-london-olympic-logo-racist/572994/52 "2011-03-01T15:13:25Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > Oh noes! It’s part of the protocols of the Elders of ZO-IZ. I can only presume that the mascots are an accurate representation of those elders. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-london-olympic-logo-racist/572994/53 "2011-03-01T15:17:44Z")
> [@Capitaine\_Zombie](#): > > Can someone explain to me what the logo is supposed to be anyway (dont bother with the Lisa Simpson blowing her bro explanation, I’ve already seen it)? I thought it looked like the UK after a nuclear bombs rain. I think as well as being 2012 it could also be a stylized continental map. 2=North America, 0=Eurasia, 1= South America, 2=Africa. ---
**Author:** ![dhkendall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9adbd/32.png) [@dhkendall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dhkendall)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-london-olympic-logo-racist/572994/54 "2011-03-01T18:27:49Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > I think as well as being 2012 it could also be a stylized continental map. 2=North America, 0=Eurasia, 1= South America, 2=Africa. I like that explanation, actually, and is the only forgivable excuse for coming up with the logo they did! I’m guessing that since we haven’t heard the explanation from someone involved with the 2012 Games that they haven’t thought of that, but maybe someone will see this post … (Personally, I really liked the logo they had for their Olympic bid, the one with the ribbon in the shape of the Thames … ) ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-london-olympic-logo-racist/572994/55 "2011-03-01T18:31:34Z")
> [@dhkendall](#): > > I like that explanation, actually, and is the only forgivable excuse for coming up with the logo they did! Yeah, but then, what the crap is that giant dot? A land bridge between S. America and Africa? The Canary Islands? A huge supertanker? The Kraken? What?! ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-london-olympic-logo-racist/572994/56 "2011-03-01T18:39:24Z")
Oooooooooo…I vote for the Kraken! ---
**Author:** ![3\_20\_59\_or\_bust](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/47e85d/32.png) [@3\_20\_59\_or\_bust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3_20_59_or_bust)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-london-olympic-logo-racist/572994/57 "2011-03-01T19:09:46Z")
> [@Ogre](#): > > Yeah, but then, what the crap is that giant dot? A land bridge between S. America and Africa? The Canary Islands? A huge supertanker? The Kraken? What?! Yeah, I gotta say, that dot bugs me! What is it? Why is it there? Since when do you put a dot in 2012? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-london-olympic-logo-racist/572994/58 "2011-03-01T19:17:02Z")
> [@ogre](#): > > yeah, but then, what the crap is that giant dot? A land bridge between s. America and africa? The canary islands? A huge supertanker? The kraken? What?! Atlantis!!! ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-london-olympic-logo-racist/572994/59 "2011-03-01T19:32:27Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Damn that all-caps-forbidden feature…HOW DO YOU DO ALL CAPS IN THE MAIN POST?!! LIKE THIS; HIGHLIGHT FOR DETAILS. By adding in non-capitalized, white colored text. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-london-olympic-logo-racist/572994/60 "2011-03-01T19:52:20Z")
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