Visitors to Vancouver are currently being welcomed by a set of 15 meters tall illuminated Olympic rings. Erected by the B.C. Ministry of Transportation at a cost of $1.3 million, the rings are comprised of over 20,000 low energy LED lights which will cost an additional $3.00/day to power. They were build in B.C. and can be programmed for stunning light displays. It is believed that there are two additional candidates for a set of 2010 Olympic rings. Both the Burrard Street and the Lions Gate bridges are possible locations for additional Olympic rings and there is speculation that there may be a giant set of rings placed on the North Shore Mountains.

The Olympic rings are the symbol of the Olympic Games. The five interlocking rings, colored blue, yellow, black, green and red on a white field represent the 5 continents. The colors represent the colors of all the national flags of the world at that time. The five rings were originally designed in 1912 by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games to stand for passion, faith, victory, work ethic and sportsmanship. When the rings were presented in the Olympic Review, the official magazine of the International Olympic Committee, they were presented as
“the five parts of the world which now are won over to Olympism and willing to accept healthy competition”.

The symbol’s popularity and widespread use began during the lead-up to the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. The current view of the International Olympic committee is that the symbol “reinforces the idea” that the Olympic movement is international and welcomes all countries of the world. The Olympic Charter now posts that the five rings represents the union of five continents and the meeting of athletes from throughout the world at the Olympic Games. No continent is represented by any specific ring.

As host to the world for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, Vancouverites anxiously await the next installment of the bright lights of the Olympic rings and the dazzling light displays. If the North Shore Mountains do get a giant set of rings, visitors and residents alike will be able to enjoy the displays from many vantage points. Each Vancouver resident will have an opportunity to promote the rings to our guests. Be sure to mention the rings to all you meet from February 12-28, 2010.