Iran threatens boycott of 2012 Olympics unless logo changed

The logo of next summer's London Olympic Games appears to spell out the word 'Zion," claims Iran, demanding it be changed

The government in Iran has even made a formal complaint to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) claiming the logo must be dropped because they believe it spells out "Zion". The Islamic state has also said it will leave its athletes at home until the logo is removed and its creators made to justify why it created such a design. The London Olympic 2012 logo was created four years ago by brand designers Wolff Olins, and cost £400,000 ($650,000) to produce. It has created much controversy since its release back in 2007, with some comparing it to a swastika and others saying it depicts Lisa Simpson, a cartoon character in The Simpsons, in a compromising position. The Iranian government however are convinced it carries racist undertones. In a letter to the IOC it wrote, As internet documents have proved, using the word Zion in the logo of the 2012 Olympic Games is a disgracing action and against the Olympics' valuable mottoes, 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.

This is believed to be the first time any country has threatened to boycott an Olympic games over a logo design, reports Yahoo Sport. Officials at the London Olympics have expressed surprise that complaint has been received only now and an official at the IOC confirmed, "The logo represents the figure 2012, nothing else", as the Telegraph reports.