City's Olympic logo unveiled — a 6-pointed star
Chicago's Olympic torch logo has been replaced by a six-pointed star — similar to the four stars that adorn the city's flag.
Like the old Chicago 2016 logo, the new one uses a bold blend of colors — gold, red, blue and green — to capture four Chicago assets: Lake Michigan, the city's parks, its breathtaking skyline and the passion of its people.
(Courtesy Chicago 2016)
Each of the star's six points represents a value embodied by the Olympics: hope; respect for the rules of competition; harmony among the people of the world; friendship; excellence and celebration.
The star further symbolizes Chicago's plan to place the athletes "at the center of the city and the center of the 2016 Olympic Games "since they're the real stars," Mayor Daley said.
"Stars literally guided the explorers who shaped the modern map of our world and, throughout time, stars have been a symbol of hope to mankind. This logo will become a great symbol of hope for our city and our nation as we work together to seek the privilege of hosting" the 2016 Summer Games, the mayor said.
"Like a compass pointing in all directions, this logo reaches out to the world...Within a very short time, when the people in our city and all around the world see this symbol, they'll make the connection between Chicago and the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics."
The new logo was unveiled at a carefully orchestrated ceremony before an enthusiastic audience of students at Walt Disney Magnet School, 4140 N. Marine Dr.
The students counted down from 10 — New Year's Eve-style — before the drape was removed from the giant logo.
A stage full of Olympic champions — including swimmer Rowdy Gaines and track and field star Jackie Joyner-Kersee — revved up the crowd and distributed tee-shirts featuring the new logo.
"We're going to show the world that Chicago is a star. We're going to let the world know what Chiacgo has to offer — not just athletically, but culturally," Joyner-Kersee said.
The star logo replaces a torch that was snuffed out by the International Olympic Committee.
The edict was included in IOC rules governing the 2016 selection process. It states that candidate city logo "shall not contain the Olympic symbol, the Olympic motto, the Olympic flag, any other Olympic-related imagery [such as] flame, torch, medal, etc."
"We had a very good message, so we stayed with that. You saw all of the buses and taxis with the colors out there. People saw 'em. It reminded them of Chicago 2016. Why give that up? People liked the lake, the parks, the skyline, the colors. They liked the message. `Stir the Soul' resonated very well with people," said Chicago 2016 Chairman Pat Ryan.
"It was a process of building on top of what had already been successful. But then taking the star, which represents the many people [of] Chicago, and adding to the message.
We loved the earlier sphere logo, but we love this more because it has a more profound message."
Ald. Edward M. Burke (14th) has a resolution pending that calls for a fifth star to be added to the Chicago flag in 2009 in the event that the International Olympic Committee chooses Chicago in a worldwide competition that includes seven cities.
Daley is willing to entertain that idea, but not yet.
He's not about to be so presumptuous. "We don't want to assume anything," he said.
The new logo was designed pro bono by Chicago-based VSA Partners.