The Symbol for the Paralympics
Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2012/08/22 - Updated: 2022/02/17
Topic: Paralympic Games - Publications List
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main
Synopsis: Information regarding Paralympic symbols and flags used by the International Paralympic Committee to promote the Paralympic Games.
• The Current Paralympic Symbol (three Agitos) consists of three elements in red, blue and green - the three colors that are most widely represented in national flags around the world.
• The Paralympic Symbol also emphasizes the fact that Paralympic athletes are constantly inspiring and exciting the world with their performances: always moving forward and never giving up.
Introduction
Information regarding Paralympic symbols and flags used by the International Paralympic Committee to promote the Paralympic Games.
Main Item
Current Paralympic Symbol

The Current Paralympic Symbol (three Agitos) consists of three elements in red, blue and green - the three colors that are most widely represented in national flags around the world. The three Agitos (from the Latin meaning "I move") encircling a central point symbolize motion, emphasize the role of the Paralympic Movement in bringing athletes together from all corners of the world to compete.
The symbol also reflects the Paralympic Motto, "Spirit in Motion," representing the strong will of every Paralympian. The Paralympic Symbol also emphasizes the fact that Paralympic athletes are constantly inspiring and exciting the world with their performances: always moving forward and never giving up.
The current Paralympic Symbol was created by the internationally renowned agency "Scholz & Friends", and approved at the IPC Executive Board meeting held in Athens 4 to 6 April 2003, when the Committee decided on a new corporate identity. The previous symbol remained in limited use through the Athens 2004 Paralympics.
Previous Paralympic Symbol (1994-2004)

The second Paralympic symbol used three Tae-Geuks.
In March 1992 the Paralympic symbol was changed to a version with three tae-gueks. This was not used until after the 1994 Winter Paralympics in Lillehammer, Norway.
A Paralympic Symbol with three Tae-Geuks was officially launched on a worldwide level at the 1994 World Championships in IPC sports.
"Mind, Body, Spirit " was adopted as the Paralympic Motto. In 2003, this symbol was replaced by the current one and the new motto officially became "Spirit in Motion ".
First Paralympic Symbol (1988-1994)

The first symbol incorporated the Tae-Geuk, which is a traditional Korean decorative motif.
Tae-Geuks were first used in a symbol at the 1988 Paralympic Games in Seoul, Korea. At that time, the symbol consisted of five Tae-Geuks in a configuration and in colors similar to the Olympic Rings, i.e., blue, black, red, yellow and green.
At the end of the Seoul 1988 Paralympics, the symbol was adopted by the then International Co-ordinating Committee of World Sports Organizations for the Disabled (ICC) and used as a symbol for the co-ordination of the Paralympic Games of the various international organizations of sport for the disabled.
Paralympics Logo
Each Paralympic Games has its own Paralympic emblem, or logo.
The city that hosts the Paralympic Games creates a symbol to represent the event. This design incorporates the Paralympic symbol, the name of the event, and one or more distinctive elements to identify the event.
It is the responsibility of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to approve Paralympic emblems for the Paralympic games. The Paralympic emblems are used in promotional materials, by sponsors of the Paralympics, and on the uniforms of every Paralympic competitor. All emblems are the property of the IPC.