London 2012 logo 'triggering epileptic fits'
The logo is described as "ever-changing", which it does so too quickly for some
Wednesday, 06, Jun 2007 12:05
Certain sections of the London Olympics 2012 website have been taken down over fears that the flashing logo is causing epileptic fits.
An animated version of the new logo, which was launched amid much fanfare on Monday morning, flashes several times and appears to pulsate on the screen.
However Professor Graham Harding, a leading scientist and the developer of the test used to measure levels of photo-sensitvity in material shown on television screens, has criticised the broadcasting of the short film.
"It fails the Harding FPA [Flash and Pattern Analyser] machine test, which is the machine the television industry uses to test images," he told BBC Radio London.
"And so it does not comply with Ofcom guidelines and is in contravention of them."
Several members of the public who suffer with epilepsy have already complained of suffering fits after viewing the footage.
A spokesperson for London 2012 stressed that the problem was with the one specific film and would not lead to the logo being altered or withdrawn.
At the logo's launch earlier this week Lord Coe, the organising committee chairman, said: "We don't do bland, this is not a bland city.
"We weren't going to come to you with a dull or dry corporate logo. This is something that's got to live for the next five years and we believe it will do exactly that."
Despite the enthusiasm of the designers and London 2012 officials, the logo has come in for much public criticism, with many people questioning the sophistication of the jagged design and the overtly vibrant colours - pink, green, orange and electric blue.