2016 Olympic Games Rio

Commemorating the Games of the XXXI Olympiad

Introduction

The 2016 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXXI Olympiad and commonly referred to as Rio 2016, was a landmark global sporting event held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 5 to 21 August 2016. This grand international gathering continued the rich legacy of the Olympic Games, bringing together athletes from across the world in a celebration of sportsmanship, excellence, and unity.

The Rio 2016 program featured 28 sports, comprising 41 disciplines and 306 medal events, hosted across 33 venues in Rio and 5 additional cities — São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Salvador, Brasília, and Manaus. Over 10,500 athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) participated, including Kosovo and South Sudan, who joined the Olympics for the first time.

India took part in 15 sporting events, represented by a strong contingent of around 120 athletes, continuing the nation’s proud Olympic tradition.

Host City and Selection

The decision to award the 2016 Summer Olympics to Rio de Janeiro was announced at the 121st International Olympic Committee Session held in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 2 October 2009. With this, Rio became the first South American city ever to host the Summer Olympics — a moment of immense pride for the continent.

Olympic Identity: Logo and Mascot

The official logo of Rio 2016 depicts three human figures in the yellow, green, and blue colors of the Brazilian flag, joined in a triple embrace. The design reflects the shape of Sugarloaf Mountain, one of Rio’s most iconic landmarks. It embodies four key concepts:

• Contagious Energy
• Harmonious Diversity
• Exuberant Nature
• Olympic Spirit

The official mascot, Vinicius, named after the celebrated Brazilian musician Vinicius de Moraes, represents the vibrancy of Brazilian wildlife and combines the traits of various native animals. Its lively design draws inspiration from pop culture, video games, and animation, appealing to audiences of all ages.

The Olympic Flame and Ceremonies

The Olympic flame was lit at the Temple of Hera in Olympia on 21 April 2016, marking the traditional start of the torch relay. On 27 April 2016, the flame was ceremonially handed over to the Brazilian organizers at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens.

The Opening Ceremony took place at the iconic Maracanã Stadium on 5 August 2016, showcasing Brazil’s culture, music, and unity. The Closing Ceremony was also held at the same venue on 21 August 2016, symbolizing the end of a historic chapter in Olympic history.

Sports Featured on India Post Commemorative Stamps

To celebrate this prestigious global event, the Department of Posts, Government of India, issued a set of four Commemorative Postage Stamps featuring Indian athletes’ key disciplines — Badminton, Shooting, Wrestling, and Boxing — all of which brought India Olympic glory in previous editions.

Badminton

Badminton first appeared as a demonstration sport in 1972 and became an official Olympic sport in 1992. The sport, governed by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), requires exceptional fitness, agility, and technical skill. In Rio 2016, 172 athletes competed across five events: men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles.

India’s proudest badminton moment came at the London 2012 Olympics, where the nation won its first-ever bronze medal in the sport — inspiring a new generation of Indian shuttlers.

Shooting

Shooting has been part of the Olympic program since 1896, the very first modern Olympics. The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) governs both Olympic and non-Olympic shooting competitions. The sport demands precise control, concentration, and discipline, with success depending on factors like breathing, stability, and timing.

At Rio 2016, 390 shooters competed across 15 events. India’s shooters had earned one silver and one bronze in the London 2012 Games, and continued their pursuit of excellence in Rio.

Wrestling

A symbol of strength and tradition, Wrestling is one of the oldest Olympic sports, featured in every modern Olympiad except Paris 1900. The discipline includes Freestyle and Greco-Roman categories, further divided into weight classes.

Men compete in both styles, while women participate in freestyle wrestling, with 18 gold medals awarded in total. India’s wrestlers made the nation proud with a silver and a bronze medal in London 2012, and entered Rio with renewed determination.

Boxing

Boxing was first introduced in the 1904 Summer Olympics, becoming one of the most thrilling events of the Games. Originally restricted to men, women’s boxing was added in 2012, marking a major step toward equality in sport.

Boxing demands endurance, speed, strength, and tactical brilliance. India’s entry into Olympic boxing history came with a bronze medal in London 2012, inspiring young pugilists across the country.

Olympic Motto and Values

The enduring Olympic Motto — “Citius, Altius, Fortius” — translates from Latin to “Faster, Higher, Stronger”, encapsulating the essence of human potential and progress.

The three core values of the Olympic Movement are:

• Excellence – Striving to be the best in every endeavor
• Friendship – Building harmony and mutual respect among nations
• Respect – Upholding fair play and equality

Together, these values inspire the global community to promote sport, culture, and education, fostering peace and unity through the Olympic spirit.

A Philatelic Tribute to Rio 2016

The Department of Posts commemorates the 2016 Summer Olympics – Rio 2016 with a special set of four postage stamps, celebrating the skill, spirit, and dedication of Indian athletes.

This philatelic issue stands as a tribute to the Olympic ideals of perseverance, discipline, and unity, and as a reminder of India’s continuing journey in the realm of world sports.