How many interlocking rings are there on the Olympic flag, representing the union of the continents?

Introduction / Context:
The Olympic flag is one of the most recognisable symbols in international sport. It features a set of interlocking rings that represent the union of continents and the meeting of athletes from around the world at the Olympic Games. This question tests basic yet important Olympic symbolism: the number of rings on the Olympic flag.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is the official Olympic flag as designed by Pierre de Coubertin.
• We are asked for the number of interlocking rings.
• Options are 4, 5, 6, and 7.
• We assume the standard, widely accepted symbol that appears on all official Olympic material.

Concept / Approach:
The Olympic symbol consists of five interlocking rings, coloured blue, yellow, black, green and red, on a white background. These five rings represent the union of five inhabited continents in the Olympic movement: traditionally interpreted as Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania. Therefore, the correct answer is 5, not 4, 6 or 7.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Visualise the Olympic flag, which most people have seen in broadcasts and images. Step 2: Count the rings mentally: blue, yellow, black in the top row, green and red in the bottom row – a total of five. Step 3: Recall that official explanations of the Olympic symbol always refer to five rings. Step 4: Compare the options and see that only “5” matches this widely known design. Step 5: Select 5 as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Any official Olympic website, textbook illustration, or major sports broadcast that shows the flag will immediately confirm that there are five interlocking rings. The design has remained stable for decades and is one of the most iconic logos in the world. Educational materials that explain Olympic symbolism also emphasise that the five rings represent the coming together of athletes from five continents.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• 4: There has never been an official Olympic flag with only four rings; this option tests whether you are unsure.
• 6: Some might think there is one ring per continent plus one extra, but the official symbol is fixed at five rings.
• 7: Also incorrect, as it does not correspond to any historical or modern Olympic flag design.

Common Pitfalls:
Because the rings are interlocked and overlapping, quick glances can make counting slightly confusing, and some learners misremember the number. Another pitfall is overthinking by trying to match the rings to different ways of counting continents (for example, treating the Americas separately). The safest approach is to rely on the widely recognised figure: five interlocking rings on the Olympic flag.

Final Answer:
The Olympic flag features 5 interlocking rings.