LONDON -- When the logo for the London 2012 Olympics was unveiled four years ago, critics slammed the sign as a crime against design, with some saying the graffiti-style scrawl resembled a
swastika and others arguing it looked like
Lisa Simpson engaging in a sex act.
Now the Iranian government has belatedly joined the critical conversation, claiming that the jagged 2012 motif actually spells out the word "Zion." Authorities in Tehran this week handed a formal complaint to the International Olympic Committee, warning that Iranian athletes might stay away from the games unless the logo is changed.
AP
The 2012 Olympic Games logo has received a lot of criticism since it was unveiled in 2007. Now Iran says the motif spells out "Zion."
"As Internet documents have proved, using the word 'Zion' in the logo of 2012 Olympic Games is a disgracing action and against Olympic's valuable mottos," the letter read, according to the state-run
Iranian Student News Agency. "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."
It is unclear what "Internet documents" the letter is referring to. However, when the logo came out in 2007, animations appeared on
YouTube showing how the sign could be rearranged to read "Zion."
The International Olympic Committee has confirmed that it received Iran's complaint, but it dismissed as nonsense the idea that the logo contains hidden Israeli propaganda. "The London 2012 logo represents the figure 2012, nothing else," a spokesperson
told the British daily The Guardian.