The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) issues this statement on the use of Olympic symbols, marks, and terminology to clarify its position with schools and other educational institutions, and to forestall any misunderstanding.

Protection of Olympic Marks, Symbols, and Terminology

Under the Ted Stevens Amateur Sports Act of 1999, the USOC has exclusive right to the use of the name, "United States Olympic Committee," the USOC emblem, the words, "Olympic," "Olympiad," and all derivatives, as well as all Olympic symbols, marks, and terminology (Including the Olympic rings, torch, etc.). Olympic is also a registered trademark, service mark and collective membership mark of the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Distinction between education and promotion

The USOC encourages maximum involvement of school populations in Olympic-related educational activities. Because no statement can cover, or even anticipate, all contingencies, the overriding criterion for usage of Olympic symbols, marks, and terminology is whether or not they are used in an educational context by a not-for-profit education institution or organization. Thus, the study of, or instruction in, Olympic-related materials, including symbols, marks, and terminology, for the purpose of increasing awareness and understanding of the Olympic Ideals (Olympism), the Olympic Movement and the Olympic Games, or to utilize the students' interest in these matters to build skills and increase knowledge as part of a school's regular curriculum, is acceptable.

On the other hand, the use of Olympic-related activities, symbols, marks, and/or terminology, to imply an "official" connection with the USOC (or the International Olympic Committee), to suggest special recognition by the USOC, to raise funds, and/or to stimulate attendance to events for which admission is charged is not appropriate without the express, advance written consent of the USOC.

These simple guidelines apply to schools, state and local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, public libraries, media centers, museums, and non-profit youth and educational organizations.

Examples of acceptable use of Olympic symbols, marks, and terminology

The following are examples of acceptable use of Olympic symbols, marks, and terminology:

The playing or showing of any audio tapes, videotapes, films, or other audio-visual ads produced by or recommended by the USOC as part of the instructional programs, or for training teachers and instructors.

The reading, excerpting, or adapting of USOC resources materials included in, or recommended as part of its Olympic curriculum project, all published by the USOC as part of the instructional program.

The making of banners, posters, flags, costumes, medals, and other creative, artistic items in connection with a school or youth organization's conduct of the Olympic enrichment program for use in classrooms, school bulletin boards, dining rooms, gymnasiums or other school areas to increase understanding of the Olympic or to create an "Olympic" spirit.

The organizing and holding of an "Olympic Day in the Schools" by a school or group of schools, as a culmination of a study of the Olympics, as described in materials prepared and disseminated by the USOC. This includes the photographing, filming, videotaping, and reporting of the event in public media as an interpretation of positive educational Olympic interest, and to preserve the experience for further educational follow-up.

The preparation of notices, reports, posters, printed programs and other materials to inform parents and other community members of the Olympic-related educational activities being conducted by a school (but not for the solicitation of funds).

Examples of unacceptable use of Olympic symbols, marks, and terminology

The following are examples of unacceptable use of Olympic symbols, marks, and terminology:

The implication that a school or institution has an "official" connection, such as "The Olympic School of Sassafras County," "Your Olympic Library," and/or the use of the five interlocking rings of the International Olympic Committee or USOC emblem on letterheads.

The selling of posters, banners, or other artifacts produced as part of the instructional program or produced specifically to raise funds for the school or organization.

The conduct of certain competitive events or showing for which admission is charged, for example: an Olympic track meet; a showing of Olympic films (films that are rented or purchased may be shown to audiences who pay admission, but USOC or Olympic marks and terminology may not be used to advertise the event, nor may USOC sponsorship be implied).

The offering for sale of commercially produced T-shirts or other wearing apparels.

Any solicitation of funds for any purpose other than to contribute to the US Olympic Committee.