Tokyo Olympics unveils new logo following plagiarism scandal
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics has unveiled its new logo, seven months after the original design was scrapped amid accusations of plagiarism.
The winning designs for the Olympic and Paralympic Games were created by Japanese designer Asao Tokoro and are titled “Harmonized Checkered Emblem.”
The emblem features three varieties of indigo blue rectangular shape which represent different countries, cultures and ways of thinking.
On discovering that his design had won Tokoro said: "My mind has gone blank as I just found out my design won. I put a lot of time and effort into this design as though it was my own child."
The initial logo chosen for the Tokyo Olympics was created by Japanese designer Kenjiro Sano however it was scrapped in September last year following allegations of plagiarism. Belgian designer Olivier Debie accused Sano of copying a design he created for a theater company in Liège, and took legal action to block its use.
In response to the negative publicity Olympic organisers established a special selection committee comprised of 19 members from the sports, design, and business communities.