The official emblem of the 2008 Olympic games has been revealed – a red seal featuring a running athlete with the Olympic rings and the words Beijing 2008 underneath it.

The logo was unveiled to 2008 guests at a lavish ceremony in Beijing’s Temple of Heaven. Lasers, balloons, confetti and bundreds of dancers wearing crimson robes and and carrying red and gold lanterns entertained the live audience and a television audience of over 400 million. Red is considered a lucky colour in China.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge said:

“In this emblem, I saw the promise and potential of a New Beijing and a great Olympics. We are confident that it will achieve the stature of one of the best and most meaningful symbols in Olympic history.”

The original logo was presented to the IOC in the form of a pair of identical seals carved out of jade. The other seal will be on display in the Chinese Olympic museum, which is to be built after the games.

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