It can be so simple. In today's complex world we can still make things easy to understand, if we want to. Clearly, at the Winter Olympics just ending in Turin this weekend the concept of simple was ignored. Many of the Olympic federations chose to follow the hot trend of mixing things up and boy did they mix me up!
I knew it was not going to be pretty from the Opening Ceremonies when the German federation arrived in white and lime green. Thankfully waving
flags to remind me what country they represented.
The flame was lit by Italy's Stefania Belmondo wearing white and yellow. Again thankfully I remembered that the event was being held in Italy, so the person lighting the flame must be from Italy.
OK, they weren't making it easy but I was hanging in there.
Don't forget:
Germany - white and lime green
Italy - white and yellow
So as they say, "let the games begin!"
I'll start with speedskating.
As I began to watch some of the races I noticed some skaters in a absolutely beautiful shade of blue with black suit. What country are they representing?
As I searched my memory for the countries with this shade of blue in their flags, I reminded myself that these were not the simple games of the past, where members of a country's team wore versions of their country colors.
The speedskaters did not disappoint.
As they made their way around the track at break neck speed it was none other than Germany! For those of us who still needed some help, the designer included a hint of the country flag.
In the slow motion replay I saw it at her wrist! See it, it's right there, she's from Germany! Thank you.
OK, Germany -
white and lime (opening ceremonies)
blue and black (speedskating)
Next, crosscountry skiing.
Actually had to double check to make sure this person in black and white with red and yellow stripes was from Germany... I didn't want to be fooled again.
It was.
Just when I thought it was getting easier, the German nordic team appears on the medal stand with white and lime (I'm good so far) and hot red! It's not fun or funny anymore.
This country known for it's great design from automobiles (Porsche, Audi, BMW), to consumer electronics (Braun, Miele) to fashion (Hugo Boss, Jil Sander) is losing one of it's biggest design fans - and just over it's refusal to bring some sense of color
continuity to their 2006 Olympic team.
Another design powerhouse of a country, Italy.
I know that blue is the favorite color of over 75% of the population worldwide, but at the Olympics, leave the blue and white to Finland or Greece.
You didn't see a BLUE Ferrari making it's way around the ice in the opening ceremonies!
The crosscountry Italian team shows just how mixed up their country identity is getting when the Italian flag is held at the end of the race. Let's be honest here, blue, white, green and red does not an identity make.
Visual ouch. Wear blue on your own time. No doubt it will look fabulous.
When you're in the Olympics representing Italy, c'mon... wear red and green and white.
But, OH CANADA!
Red and White, check.
Mapleleaf on the hat, check.
Canada spelled out across the parka, BIG check.
Thank you Canada, for making it so obvious, so bold
and SO SIMPLE.
Recent Comments