The Eiffel Tower was listed as a historic monument on 24 June 1964 and as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, yet the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, has decided to keep the Olympic logo on the Eiffel Tower even after the Games are over, that is…

The Eiffel Tower was listed as a historic monument on 24 June 1964 and as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, yet the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, has decided to keep the Olympic logo on the Eiffel Tower even after the Games are over, that is, an enormous advertising structure belonging to a private organisation, although French law prohibits any advertising on buildings classified as historic monuments. In effect, a national treasure of France becomes, by the will of one particular official, an advertising hoarding.

Strange as it may sound, the International Olympic Committee is indeed a private organisation, deriving the bulk of its income from the sale of broadcasting rights (around 50% of its budget), sponsorship (more than 40%), ticket sales and licensing. The Olympic rings belong to a private entity, so their use for commercial and advertising purposes is regulated by the IOC. That is enough for them to be regarded as advertising.