The International Olympics Committee (IOC) shortlisted four of the seven applicant cities—Chicago (United States), Madrid (Spain), Tokyo (Japan), and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil); over Baku (Azerbaijan), Doha (Qatar), and Prague (Czech Republic)—on June 4, 2008 during the announcement in Athens, Greece. Now is the intense bidding war between the final 4 cities with only 1 that will get to host the 2016 Olympics. The results will be announced at the 121st IOC Session in Copenhagen, Denmark, on October 2, 2009. Here are the 2016 Olympics logo designs submitted by the 7 applicant cities.

The logo suggests the natural rich landscapes of Rio de Janeiro, with a yellow sun rising behind the green hills and valleys of Rio (highlighting the Sugar Loaf (Portuguese: Pão de Açucar), the city’s best known icon), and blue sea. Overall, the logo has a heart shape which represents the Brazilian’s passion and enthusiasm for sports. Through its repetition, a stylized clover is formed, associated with the luck for everyone seeking to surpass limits, without any artifices other than the strength and heartiness of the person who brings along his people’s dreams. The logo was designed by Ana Soter. An exclamation mark is incorporated into the number “1″ to suggest the expectation and excitement for the opportunity to host.

“The Tokyo 2016 logo takes the form of a traditional Japanese knot known as “MUSUBI”. It integrates the five Olympic colours into a motif of colourful and decorative knotted strings which have long been utilised in Japan to signify blessings during times of celebration.”

The original logo, that arrived to the IOC (International Olympic Committee) in Lausanne, together with the applicant letter had to be slightly changed. According to the IOC the original graphic design was confusing. They proposed a slight adjustment, where the numbers move to the bottom of the picture. The Czech Olympic Committee agreed. The laurel twig is as in the original design, bounded with ribbons of red, blue and yellow. Red and yellow are the colors of Prague, blue symbolizes Vltava river. The Prague logo represents a branch from a laurel wreath, both a traditional sign of victory and celebration as well as a reward in the Ancient Olympics (and most recently featured in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece) and ribbons in the Olympic colors.

On May 16, 2007, Chicago was informed that its logo, a representation of a torch with the flames reminiscent of Chicago’s skyline, violated IOC rules against using Olympic torch imagery. Bidding rules prohibit logos containing the Olympic symbol, motto, flag or other imagery including a flame, torch or medal. The current redesigned logo was released on September 19, 2007. Using the same color palette, a unique six-pointed “Chicago star” represents a compass pointing in all directions reaching out to the world. Each point represents an Olympic value: Hope, Respect, Harmony, Friendship, Excellence and Celebration. The warm colors initially represented in the flame (or top) of the image refer to the sun, the cool colors represent the green parklands and blue waters of Lake Michigan. It has been proposed by Chicago City Council alderman Edward Burke that a fifth star be added to the Flag of Chicago if the city wins its bid for the Olympic games in 2016.

A contest was run to submit a logo for the games. A number were chosen from which the public could vote, finalizing the final three. The official logo was revealed in late September 2007, which was elected by a group of experts. The logo is named “Corle” and represents a hand in the colors of the Olympics, welcoming foreigners to the games. It was designed by Argentinian Joaquin Malle. The initial design was merely an outline of the hand; the final version bursts with color rings within the hand.

Baku revealed its logo in December 2007. The logo depicts images from the UNESCO world heritage site of Gobustan Rock Plateau, which features the remains of settlements and burials reflecting ancient human culture.[10]

The logo’s design represents the blossoming of the hopes and aspirations of Qatar, rooted in the rich heritage of the country. The Aldahma, the ‘Flower of the Spring’, was chosen to represent the vital and energetic spirit of the season. The Aldahma’s natural habitat in the sands of the desert draws a parallel with the vibrant and colourful life flourishing in the State of Qatar. The calligraphy strokes making the words ‘Doha 2016′ are a unique manipulation of the traditional organic Henna patterns that women use to adorn their hands and arms as part of social and holiday celebrations. The interaction between the Arabic calligraphy and the English type is an interpretation of modernity. The logo was created by students at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUQ). The Doha 2016 Slogan is “Celebrating Change.”