Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games won’t take a hit after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said the torch could not be part of Chicago’s official Olympic logo, but will not sanction the city’s bid because the image is not in the city’s formal bid application, reports the Chicago Tribune.
Last week it was reported the city can no longer use the image of a torch in its logo because it goes against IOC rules of conduct for bid cities. But the IOC and the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) say Chicago needs only to phase out signage, pins, stationery, business cards and apparel adorned with the torch and come up with a logo that will meet IOC rules by September 13 when Chicago becomes an official 2016 applicant.
Chicago 2016 spokesman Patrick Sandusky said Monday, “we will transition the logo out when it is appropriate”.
IOC member Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. said, “I believe Chicago has, at all times, acted in good faith, and I would consider this a very minor incident, especially since Chicago is already changing its logo. I believe this incident will not have any repercussion on the bidding campaign that will actually begin in the coming months. First it is too early to have any effect on a vote that will take place more than two years from today. Second, I personally know the people involved in the (Chicago) candidacy project and I am convinced of their fair play”.
Craig Reedie, an IOC member from Great Britain who sits on the IOC ethics and marketing commissions said, “I do not believe that whatever has happened will have any influence on the final decision…on the destination of the 2016 Olympic Games”.
USOC spokesman Darryl Seibel said, “there is no immediate pressure or deadline for Chicago to phase out the logo. They recognize that a new logo will need to be in place before the USOC formally submits Chicago as an applicant, and they cannot use the current logo on any new commercial or non-commercial materials”.
He added, “Chicago developed an outstanding logo in the initial phase, and as we now prepare for the international phase of the bid process we know they will develop a logo that is no less exciting, imaginative and representative of Chicago’s strong desire to welcome the athletes of the world”.
