Budapest 2024 Opens Quest for Logo

(ATR) The search for a logo for the Budapest 2024 Olympic bid takes the next step this week. A panel of experts is reviewing more than 180 submissions from Hungarian professionals.

Bid leader Balasz Furjes tells Around the Rings that the number of entrants means a longer review process than first expected.

"Originally we thought we could be done in two weeks. Now with so many entries it is best to be proper rather than fast," he says.

"I was pleasantly surprised with how many designs these young graphic designers in Hungary put forward. We have to carefully move ahead," says Furjes, who is a member of the jury to decide the finalists.

Furjes says he still hopes to have a selection by the end of the month. He also says that the bid is planning to seek public opinion via the Budapest 2024 website.

In the wake of the controversy over the logo for Tokyo 2020 which had to be scrapped due to the similarity with another trademark, Furjes says the winning design will be carefully checked to avoid any conflict .

Budapest would be lagging the field in this aspect of bid marketing. Rome 2024 has already launched its symbol and Paris is set to launch its logo next week at the Arc de Triomphe. Los Angeles is believed to be well underway with its selection of a logo to brand the bid.

In a departure from past Olympic bid contests, the IOC now allows the cities to use the Olympic rings as part of the logo from the start of the campaign.

Written by Ed Hula in Budapest, Hungary.

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.