Olympic Symbolism

The Olympic Motto
The Olympic Motto "Citius, Altius, Fortius" is Latin for "Faster, Higher, Braver," but is universally accepted to mean "Swifter, Higher, Stronger."

The Olympic Creed
"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well." These words, referred to as "The Olympic Creed," are commonly attributed to Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games. Although there is some question as to whether he was the actual author, de Coubertin is believed to have delivered the Olympic Creed following the Congress of Paris in 1894.

The Rings
The Olympic symbol -- five interlocked rings -- represent the union of the five original major continents (Africa, America, Asia, Australia and Europe) and the meeting of the athletes from around the world at the Olympic Games. The five colors of the rings, from left to right, are blue, black and red across the top and yellow and green along the bottom.