Why were the five colors of the Olympic rings chosen?

The five colors of the Olympic rings and the white background were chosen to represent all of the colors of the flags seen from each country competing in the Olympics. It was designed by Pierre de Coubertin in 1913, at the outbreak of World War I, to symbolize peace and fraternity.

The five rings represent the five continents from which athletes come to participate in the games. The rings and the colors are an important part of reinforcing the international component of the Olympic Games. It symbolizes the meeting of athletes from all over the world. The larger symbolism, though not a part of the Olympics official description, has been said to represent wholeness and continuity.