Famous Slogan 49: “One World One Dream” for 2008 Beijing Olympics
Regardless if it’s politically, economically or socially, China is a world that many countries in the west – and even some in the east – cannot understand. Lack of understanding unfortunately creates lots of suspicion, tension and wariness in relationships, country to country, man to man.
It was the intention of the Chinese government to bridge such a gap and hopefully unite the world in the Beijing Olympic Game. This aspiration gave birth to the new slogan, “One World, One Dream”, which replaced the previous one, “New Beijing, Great Olympics” that Beijing used to campaign for the city’s bid for the Game
According to the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympic Games (BOCOG), “One World, One Dream” was picked from more than 210,000 entries received from around the world. It had launched a global search for a slogan since January 2005. The winning choice was painstakingly selected after experts from the sociology, sports, culture and language fields had gone through several rounds of reviews, analysis and short-listing. The slogan was selected because it had fulfilled the criteria of harmonious relationship between man and nature. Naturally, this is a simplistic interpretation.
The slogan was unveiled in Beijing’s Workers’ Gymnasium on 26 June 2005 and the official interpretation of the slogan is appended below:
“One World, One Dream” fully reflects the essence and the universal values of the Olympic spirit – Unity, Friendship, Progress, Harmony, Participation and Dream. It expresses the common wishes of people all over the world, inspired by the Olympic ideals, to strive for the future of mankind. In spite of differences in color, language and race, we all share the charm and joy of the Olympic Games, and together we seek peace. We belong to the same world and we share the same aspirations and dreams.
“One World One Dream” is a profound manifestation of the core concepts of the Beijing Olympic Games. It reflects the values of harmony encouraged in the concept of a “People’s Olympics”, the core and soul of the three concepts – “Green Olympics, High-Tech Olympics and People’s Olympics”. This pursuit of harmony, be it between man and nature, among peoples, within society or in development, are long cherished dreams of ours. It is our belief that peace, progress, harmonious development, amity, co-operation, mutual benefit, and enjoying a happy life are the common aspirations of people throughout the world.
BOCOG had hoped the focus of the new slogan would shift from the city itself to the Olympic Spirit of unity, friendship and progress and traditional Chinese cultural value of harmony and peace.
Liu Changchun, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party said “One World, One Dream” perfectly meets their requirements.
“It conveys the noble ideal of people in Beijing as well as in China to share their civilization and create a bright future hand in hand with people from the rest of the world,”
What do other people’s think?
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge sent a letter of congratulation to BOCOG to say, “…The IOC is delighted that BOCOG’s slogan for the 2008 Olympic Games has captured that Olympic spirit.”
George Hirthler, who has served as lead writer or communications strategist for seven international Olympic bid campaigns said “While the phrase is simple, it is also profound. While it is personal, it is also universal. The repetition of one makes it easy to remember,” said Hirthler.
China’s IOC member He Zhenliang also spoke highly of the slogan, “The theme clearly conveys the solidarity of humanity and the shared global experience that unites the world in the Olympic Games,” said He.
Now let’s look at a CCTV Poll with 1742 respondents:
How pleased are you with the present Olympic slogan?
- Average: 54.02%
- Displeased: 23.25%
- Very pleased: 22.73%
What do you think of when you read the slogan, “One World, One Dream”?
- The dream of working together to pursue peace for humanity: 38.75%
- The dream is too far off: 36.57%
- Embodiment of a harmonious value system: 12.34%
- The opening up of the spiritual culture and thought of the Chinese people: 7.52%
- Establish before the world a Chinese brand: 4.82%
With Beijing Olympics coming up in less than 3 months, we shall see whether this slogan helps to campaign the cause and values of the Chinese people
Olympics Games have always catch people’s imagination and inspired millions of people from all walks of life around the world. Here’s a list of slogans from previous Olympics Games. Do you have any favourite? I like “Welcome Home” as it was so apt.
- Seoul Summer Olympics in 1988 — Harmony and Progress
- Barcelona Summer Olympics in 1992 — Friends Forever
- Atlanta Summer Olympics in 1996 — The Celebration of the Century
- Sydney Summer Olympics in 2000 — Share the Spirit
- Salt Lake City Winter Olympics in 2002 — Light the Fire Within
- Athens Summer Olympics in 2004 — Welcome Home
Additional Reading on Olympics logo and slogan:
One World One Dream – the official slogan of 2008 Beijing Olympics
One Reply to “Famous Slogan 49: “One World One Dream” for 2008 Beijing Olympics”
another great post for the upcoming 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. You’ve been sharing a lot of relevant information for this event. A lot of readers could benefit from this. :-)