Calgary 1988
Under the theme Come Together in Calgary, the host city of the XV Olympic Winter
Games selected an emblem that was rich in symbolism. Making a direct reference to the
Winter Games, it represented a snowflake that could also be seen as a stylized maple leaf,
the most important national symbol of Canada. The emblem of the Games is also composed of
several letter Cs, for Canada and Calgary. Under the emblem are five olympic rings.
The official poster of the Calgary Games shows a view of the city of Calgary. Above the
city are the olympic rings, and above the rings is the official emblem, and above that the
slogan, "Come Together in Calgary, Host City for the XV Olympic Winter Games,
February 13-28, 1988 Calgary, Alberta, Canada."
Come Together in Calgary...
The organizing committee of the XV Winter Games implemented an extensive ornamentation program for the
city of Calgary. The city, venues and facilities where the competitions took place were decorated with
elements calling to mind the cultural and natural heritage of western Canada. Both visual and functional
aspects were taken into consideration, in particular the flags and streamers, booths, barriers and signage.
An attempt was made to highlight the symbolism of the rings by using the five olympic colours. The
other colours chosen correspond to Calgary's physical environment. The public, as well as several
social and cultural bodies and associations, participated in dressing up the city, which rapidly
took on a festive air. Various activities also took place across the country to promote the Calgary Games,
including at Expo 86, and during the Grey Cup parade of 1986, the Pacific National Exhibition of 1987,
Ottawa Winterlude in 1986 and 1987, and the Québec Carnival of 1986 and 1987.
Two mascots, Howdy and Hidy, were chosen for the XV Olympic Winter Games. These were two polar bears,
whose names were developed with reference to brotherhood and welcome. "Howdy" means
"Hello," and "Hidy" is an extension of the word "Hi." These two
mascots also evoked the warm welcome extended by Calgary and western Canada. Around 140 high
school students took turns wearing costumes of the two mascots on a volunteer basis. They made
their first appearance in 1984, at the Sarajevo Olympic Games.
The obverse of the medals awarded at the Calgary Games displayed the official emblem, namely the snowflake,
with the words "XVes Jeux olympiques d'hiver, XV Olympic Winter Games, Calgary 1988." The
reverse side showed an athlete in profile, crowned in laurels, as well as an Aboriginal man with a
headdress made of various sporting equipment: ski poles, a bob, skis, skate blades, a stick, a
luge and a rifle.
Further Research
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