* The International Olympic Committee was established in 1894. The Rings, designed by Pierre de Coubertin, were introduced in 1913. It is believed they were intended to represent the five inhabited continents: Africa, America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania, leaving aside the fact that America is two continents and penguins inhabit Antarctica. The version below was used between 1986 and 2010; the colouring is slightly different from the original.
1. Blue – the Americas
2. Yellow – Asia
3. Black – Africa
4. Green – Europe
5. Red – Oceania
Back To Number 5 Index