Iran threatens to boycott 2012 Olympics after it claims that logo spells out 'Zion'

[Amby 490]

It seems the Iranian National Olympic Committee may be spending a little too much time playing Magic Eye.

Bahram Afsharzadeh, the secretary general of the country's Olympic committee, told the country's official news service that he believes logo for the 2012 Olympics spells out "Zion" -- a term widely used to refer to Jerusalem.

Afsharzadeh said he aired his concerns in a letter to International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge and that if his concerns are not addressed, the country may boycott the games.

"There is no doubt that negligence of the issue from your side may affect the presence of some countries in the games, especially Iran, which abides by commitment to the values and principles," the letter said, according to the Iranian official.

The IOC said it had received the letter but didn't plan to change the logo -- and rejected the Iranian claims.

In 2007, when the logo was revealed, designers told the London daily the Telegraph it was supposed to be hip and aimed at the younger "Internet generation." It is inspired by graffiti artists and meant to be based roughly on the numbers 20 and 12.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has often denied the Holocaust happened and called for the destruction of Israel. But since the logo was revealed so long ago, organizers said they were "surprised that this complaint has been made now."

Ironically, in 2007, one Jewish person told the BBC that he believed the logo resembled the infamous Nazi SS symbol.

Iran, which normally threatens to boycott the Games at least once before the event, boycotted the 1984 Games.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2011/02/28/2011-02-28_iran_threatens_to_boycott_2012_olympics_after_it_claims_that_logo_spells_out_zio.html

[^_^ 5,021]

All that Afghani heroin seems to be doing the trick.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

That logo sucks. I mean, really.

[Amby 490]

That logo sucks. I mean, really.

it does suck. the british people picked it. blame them.

eta: or don't. they're british...they know nothing

Edited March 2, 2011 by Amby

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Last time I checked, the host country (not the guest-participating countries, which have no locus-standi on it) get to decide the logo (which admittedly is bloody awful) and in any case Iran's complaint is hypocritical given its treatment of Azeris, Balochs and Kurds!

[mawilson 2,133]

That's right, Mahmoud. It's ZION olympics, you fuсker.

[Amby 490]

thanks Mark. I lol'd for real.

[Zero Sum 305]

Crazy. Ugly logo, too.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

** Iran.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I can see it.

[Dan and Judy 614]

Last time I checked, the host country (not the guest-participating countries, which have no locus-standi on it) get to decide the logo (which admittedly is bloody awful) and in any case Iran's complaint is hypocritical given its treatment of Azeris, Balochs and Kurds!

Yea, they should let those three guys out of jail. I think they're

innocent.

Edited March 3, 2011 by Dan and Judy

[Dan and Judy 614]

They spent US$792,000 to cojme up with a design that pis ses everybody off. The Jews think it looks like a swastika. The Iranians think it looks like zion. I agree with most that it looks like s_h_it. It reminds me of Jimi Hendrix. "Room full of mirrors" broken glass. Hendrix was big in England

[luckytxn 2,265]

Iran will be greatly missed.

[Dan and Judy 614]

Iran will be greatly missed.

They will do well at the terrorist olympics, Gadafi wont be able to field a full team.

[luckytxn 2,265]

They will do well at the terrorist olympics, Gadafi wont be able to field a full team.

Qadaffi may be busy by the time the Olympics come.