IOC launches first sonic signature for the Olympic rings, created from the heartbeats of athletes and fans
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has unveiled the first interpretation of the Olympic rings in sound. This new sonic signature has been created from the heartbeats of the global Olympic community, fronted by athletes and fans, and will initially appear on the IOC’s own channels.
The signature transforms the emotion and human connection of the Olympics into a unifying heartbeat sound accompanied by pulsating Olympic rings. This sound identity – designed to enhance Olympic brand recognition – was first used during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
It was inspired by the idea that, when people watch events, like the Olympic Games, together, their heartbeats synchronise. Hundreds of real heartbeats from across the Olympic Movement were recorded to create the sound, including those of Olympic champions Abhinav Bindra (shooting, India), Alistair Brownlee (triathlon, Great Britain), Allyson Felix (athletics, USA), Jessica Fox (canoe slalom, Australia) and Martin Fourcade (biathlon, France). The creation process itself made for a unique story, with athletes, fans and officials joining together to be part of the shared experience.
These different heartbeats were then used to create the basis of a first-of-its-kind sound for the Olympic rings – translating all the determination, joy and triumph of sport into a living soundtrack that embodies the emotion and universally human experience of the Olympics.
The heartbeat sonic signature is designed to enhance Olympic brand recognition. It was introduced during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, including in stadiums and in digital content. It is accompanied by a refreshed digital identity called “The Pulse”, which is designed and expressed through the lens of a shared rhythm and includes a motion symbol, graphic system and tone of voice.