London 2012 officials have reacted with surprise and thoroughly denied claims by Iran's Olympics chiefs that the official logo for the Games is racist.

The national Olympic committee of Iran claims that the London logo, which is just the numbers 2012 in jagged graphics, spells out the word 'Zion' which they feel is racist.

Zion is a term often used to refer to Jerusalem and Israel, the country of which Iran is a sworn enemy, and the country have written to the IOC making an official complaint about the logo and threatening to boycott the Games.

Organisers however have been stunned by the claims and insist there is nothing in them.

"The London 2012 logo represents the year 2012, nothing else," said a London 2012 spokeswoman. "It was launched in 2007 following testing and consultation, we are surprised that this complaint has been made now."

Complaint

The first complaint was made by Iran's former IOC member Seyed Mostafa Hashemi Taba earlier this month to the IOC.

The Iran Labour News Agency has now reported a letter from Mohammad Aliabadi, head of the National Olympic Committee in the Islamic republic, to IOC president Jacques Rogge claiming the logo was "racist".

The letter states: "Unfortunately, we all are witnessing that the upcoming Olympics faces a serious challenge, definitely spawned out of some people's racist spirit.

"The use of the word Zion by the designer of the Olympics logo in the emblem of the Olympics Games 2012 is a very revolting act."

Aliabadi warned that Iran's participation in the Games would be affected if the logo was not changed.

The IOC have confirmed that they have received a letter from the Iranian national Olympic committee but have backed London's position on the logo, saying in a statement: "The London 2012 logo represents the figure 2012, nothing else."