RIO 2016: New Olympic logo unveiled with fireworks at Copacabana beach

By Sportsbeat staff

RIO de Janeiro unveiled their 2016 Olympic logo in a flurry of fireworks against the back drop of a New Year party to remember on the iconic Copacabana beach.

VISION: Rio 2016 unveiled their new Olympic logo with a spectacular firework show on Copacabana beach (Rio 2016)

The logo - in the green, gold and blue national colours of Brazil, made famous by their football team - was projected onto a huge screen on the sand as up to two million packed the waterfront to celebrate the start of 2011.

International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge was among the partygoers, who also included Rio 2016 president Carlos Arthur Nuzman, Brazilian sports minister Orlando Silva, Rio de Janeiro's Mayor Eduardo Paes and a host of Brazilian sports stars.

"I would like to congratulate Rio's team for the design chosen as the logo for Rio 2016, which is very innovative and creative," said Rogge.

"It really reflects the vision of Rio and Brazil for these Games."

Rio clearly learned the lesson from London 2012's bungled logo launch - in which the Wolff Olins design was widely slated, while the video which accompanied the grand unveil led to some suffering epileptic seizures.

Well over 100 agencies were involved in the design process with a brief to produce a logo that would reflect four pillars - contagious energy, harmonious diversity, exuberant nature and Olympic spirit.

The final selection was made earlier this year and was recently signed off by Rogge and the International Olympic Committee's executive committee and the decision was to clearly to return to a more traditional logo, following the criticism of more cutting edge emblems from both London and Sochi.

"The role of the emblem is to globalise the cultural aspects of the host city and host country, inspire the athletes, that are the main character of event, and all audience involved," said Beth Lula, Rio 2016's brand manager.

"The goal was to connect the whole world with the Olympic values of excellence, respect and friendship, give our partners the chance of creating an association with the event, but, above all, mark it as a unique event."

As with all logos there is a story and, according to officials, the new logo is a: 'passionate carioca soul that extends an embrace and shares its friendship, in a collective and warm gesture, which expresses our impassioned way of celebrating.' 

Nuzman added: "The logo for Rio's 2016 Games conveys passion and transformation. The passion of all Cariocas (the nickname for Rio residents) and Brazilians for sport and celebration. And the transformation that the Games are already bringing to Rio and to Brazil."