The logo for Glasgow's 2014 Commonwealth Games has been unveiled at an event in the city.
Organisers say the concept behind the logo is derived from time, data and measurement, with four distinctive parts. The outer ring symbolises the fact that it is the 20th Commonwealth Games, the yellow ring which is 17/20th of the size of the outer red ring symbolises the 17 sports on the programme, the blue ring, which is 11/20th of the size of the circle represents the 11 days of the event, and the G in the centre represents Glasgow, the colour reflecting the Gaelic meaning of the city's name, 'Dear green place.'
The new logo will replace the interim and bid logo which was used during the time the city was bidding for the games and immediately after the bid was approved.
The new brand identity for the event was made public on what is Commonwealth Day, a day marking the Commonwealth of Nations, the international organisation of 54 mostly former British Empire states that the Commonwealth Games is linked to.
The logo was developed by Marque Creative Ltd, who were appointed to the job in October 2009. Initially 66 creative agencies from around the world expressed an interest in creating the brand identity, and a selection panel process reduced the number to a shortlist of six before unanimously selecting the winning company.
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Marque Creative have offices in Glasgow, London and New York. Other clients include the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Glasgow School of Art, the Royal Bank of Scotland and Stirling University. On the company's website it says: "Our specialisations are positioning, identity and communications. To these we bring energy, dedication and sensitivity."
Developing a specific logo for the games is a requirement made by the the Commonwealth Games Federation as part of the contract for hosting the games.
Having a logo allows the organisers the best possible chance to earn additional revenue because they can sell the use of the logo to sponsors.
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John Scott, Chief Executive of the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee said: "Today is a big milestone for everyone involved in the planning for Glasgow 2014, as the unveiling of the new brand symbolises the start of a new and exciting journey towards the Games.
"The brand identity we used for the bid was excellent – it did its job, and it won support from all over Scotland and helped us to win the Games. We now need to raise the revenue required to help stage the Games through selling the rights to the brand identity as sponsorship.
"I am confident that its distinct style, its inherent element of fun and flexibility for both on and off line environments will attract organisations wishing to be associated with the Commonwealth Games to become our sponsors."
Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon added: "I want Glasgow 2014 to be a great success and the Scottish Government has been working hard to ensure that the entire country will benefit from the opportunities that this world class event will bring to Scotland.
"The new brand is much more than a marketing logo. Over the next four years everyone will become familiar with this distinctive brand and begin to identify with it. We want this unique design to inspire all Scots to get behind the Games and see Glasgow 2014 as an event for the whole country.
"With all of Scotland on board we can make our Commonwealth Games a fantastic sporting event and a catalyst for positive change in our nation."
The decision to hold the games in Glasgow was announced in Sri Lanka in 2007, when the Scottish city beat a bid from Abuja in Nigeria. The Commonwealth Games have twice previously been held in Scotland, in Edinburgh in 1970 and 1986.
The games will be held over 12 days from July 23 to August 3 2014.
