Iran has made an official complaint over the logo for next year’s London Olympic Games, because the design is considered to be a “disgraceful” reminder of the word “Zion”.
In a letter posted on the website of state-backed Iranian Students News Agency, the National Olympic Committee of Iran said that unless a new logo was designed “the presence of some countries in the games, especially Iran” could be called into question.
The signatories said that the logo went against the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ban on political, religious or racial partiality.
The letter continued: “We ask for your consideration of the following issue which if neglected, may have destructive effects on the future of sport
“Using the word Zion in the logo of 2012 Olympic Games is a disgracing action and against Olympic's valuable mottos."
A spokesman for the IOC told the Guardian that the logo represented only “the figure 2012, nothing else.
Iran has a history of bringing political disputes into sport. Last year, when Israeli Sergio Britva won the top prize in a world weightlifting championship, Iranian competitor Hossein Khodadadi refused to shake hands with him.