Canadian Sport Centre Calgary

Ilanaaq certainly got us all talking: Dozens of entries for our Olympic logo were also based on the inukshuk design.
(The Vancouver Sun - John Furlong)

On April 23, after months of anticipation, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games unveiled its Olympic emblem to the world.
From more than 1,600 entries, we chose Ilanaaq, which is the Inuktitut word for "friend" or "buddy." This image will represent the 2010 Winter Games to the world over the next five years and beyond.

To no one's surprise, the debate over Ilanaaq was swift and vigorous -- after all, this is art. Questions were asked, such as: "Do you like it?" "Why no maple leaf?" "Why not a West Coast image?" and "What were you possibly thinking?" We were flooded with messages from all over the world, most of them complimentary but some not. They included letters of complaint and of congratulations. There was even a protest or two to the International Olympic Committee and demands that we start over. Cartoonists were in heaven.

Interestingly, the emblems of many past games, even the beloved games of Lillehammer, started out the same way. While we at Vancouver 2010 would have preferred that all Canadians had celebrated and cheered this colourful arrival, by virtue of the strong public reaction, Ilanaaq is now known to almost all of us. If history repeats itself, by 2010 we will have a genuine legend on our hands.

Last summer we gave hundreds of Canadian designers gathered in Vancouver a specific challenge: To design an emblem that speaks clearly to both Canadian and Olympic values, a symbol that will strengthen over time, a once-seen-never-forgotten logo. It had to appeal to all --adults, children, males and females and it had to be rooted in Canadian culture. This was not to be about representing one region of Canada but rather all of Canada.

The technical requirements were considerable and the rules were rigid. This was, after all, an Olympic competition, so fairness was expected and promised. Judges were selected to ensure the best possible outcome. There were no last-minute criteria or rule changes or interference.

The judges represented the design community from Canada and around the world, including formidable past and present Olympic design experience and credibility. While they were tireless in their pursuit of the one entry that best responded to the criteria, every submission was considered as if it were a potential winner.

The final decision was taken honourably. Nine talented people selected Ilanaaq. No favouritism. No interference. This was the process we chose. It was well known. We guaranteed fairness.

Some have argued that the emblem should have had a regional dynamic to it. Some have suggested that we should have forgotten the rest of the country, reminding us that these are, after all, Vancouver, or Whistler or first nation or B.C. Games. Well, consider this: Our successful bid was presented to the International Olympic Committee as a wholly Canadian story. We promised our Games would be about nation-building that would be relevant in every Canadian home. They would be about sport and about a profound legacy for our children.

Let's be clear: The 2010 Winter Games are to be shared and celebrated by all Canadians. Our athletes will represent the country as members of Team Canada. Canadians from every region help fund the Games and will gather here as volunteers to deliver them.

The Games will touch the soul of Canada. They will be about sport and about a profound legacy for our children. The 2010 Games belong to all Canadians. The emblem must therefore represent us all.

As the Games organizers, we have a duty to stage warm, friendly games and promised to do so. Peace through sport is at the heart of the Olympic ideal. These same values are very much mirrored in the Canadian way of living. Ilanaaq speaks to the welcoming spirit of our country.

This smiling, stylized inukshuk reminds us of our own spirit, the humility of the Canadian character, our capacity to succeed against tough odds, our timeless tradition for endurance and teamwork, our generous spirit for giving, our steadfast belief in equality for everyone and a constant reminder that to be here is to be safe.

Inuksuit are found all over the country -- from large cities to small towns, from airports to beaches, from the Far North to the East Coast to the West Coast. Ilanaaq was inspired by -- but never sought to duplicate -- the thousands of unique inuksuit seen across Canada, from Inuit-constructed landmarks to commissioned public art to modest personal creations. Its very simplicity inspires even the youngest child to draw it or to stack shapes to create an inukshuk.

Canadians everywhere seem to identify with the inukshuk because of its connection to the land and its powerful message about our capacity to support and help one another. The inukshuk's traditional function as a wayfinder has a symbolic association tied to the importance of unity and friendship between people.

Interestingly, dozens of the entries we received from Canadian designers were also based on an inukshuk design. Is it therefore possible we have underestimated the capacity of this mark to represent us in places we will never go? This formidable sentinel may surprise us all. One thing is certain: Ilanaaq has us all talking.

Ilanaaq is just the first creative expression of the story of Canada's Games that we will share with the world over the next five years. It's been said to us that Ilanaaq seems to grow on you. I think so, too. So why not take a closer look? Consider the strength, those warm colors, that understated smile, the simplicity and see if you don't find yourself feeling good and smiling right back. Ilanaaq will be here for a while --might as well enjoy the companionship!

On behalf of the entire 2010 Games team, I invite you to join us in the journey towards the 2010 Games by visiting our website at vancouver2010.com/emblem to learn more about inuksuit and Ilanaaq. We think you'll agree that an inukshuk just may be the perfect symbol for our common goal of staging Games that might leave our country a better place.

John Furlong is chief executive officer of Vanoc, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.