Though the opening ceremonies are a little less than six years away, the organizers of the Brisbane 2032 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games are flying high with the unveiling of the events’ logos, inspired by one of Australia’s most recognizable and flamboyant birds.

The logos were unveiled on the International Olympic Committee’s website on Monday, October 5, following a slow rollout of various elements on the Games’ social media channels over the preceding few days. They, along with the bespoke font accompanying them, were designed “by a consortium of local and global creative agencies, overseen by the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee, and extensively tested in Australia and internationally,” according to the IOC.

The Olympic and Paralympic emblems have the same general shape but are coloured differently to represent two native Australian birds. The Olympic logo represents the pink cockatoo, while the Paralympic logo represents the sulphur-crested cockatoo.

Logos courtesy IOC; photos courtesy Wikipedia

“This vibrant expression of these Games is one that will travel the world, telling the story of Brisbane 2032. It is also a symbol of excitement and ambition that a generation of young athletes and fans will now grow up with over the next six years.”

— Mikaela Cojuangco Jaworski, IOC Brisbane 2032 Coordination Commission Chair

Aside from the birds, plenty of other symbolism is incorporated into the logos. The cockatoo crests mimic the shape of Queensland, the Australian state that Brisbane is the capital city of, while the feathers are shaped like the Olympic and Paralympic flames to “represent unity, hope and inspiration.” The five feathers are arranged with three on the left and two on the right, a subtle nod to the year of the Games.

“The cockatoos also carry First Nations significance,” the IOC adds in its press release, “with strong connections to Country and a cultural role as messengers linking people to place, story and ceremony.”

“The reveal has been a proud and significant moment in our Games journey, as our emblems help focus the eyes of the world on Brisbane, Queensland and Australia – and the incredible nature and wildlife, mixed with warm and welcoming character, that will be on full display in just under six years’ time.”

— Andrew Liveris, Brisbane 2032 President

The 2032 Summer Olympic Games will take place in Brisbane from July 23 to August 8, 2032, while the 2032 Summer Paralympic Games will run from August 24 to September 5, 2032. Events will be held in venues across Queensland, including Brisbane, Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Cairns and Townsville. The main venue will be a new 63,000-seat stadium being constructed at Victoria Park in Brisbane.

Brisbane was officially awarded the Games in July 2021 after being the only city to submit a bid. This will be the third time Australia has hosted the Olympics following Melbourne in 1956 and Sydney in 2000.

Graphic courtesy Reddit