25th Olympics: Boxing
Technical Data
| Stamp Set | 25th Olympic Olympic Games |
|---|---|
| Date of Issue | August 8, 1992 |
| Denomination | Rs. 11 |
| Quantity | 1000000 |
| Perforation | comb 13 x 13½ |
| Printer | Security Printing Press, Nashik |
| Watermark | No Watermark |
| Colors | Multicolor |
| Catalog Codes |
Michel IN 1359 Stamp Number IN 1416 Yvert et Tellier IN 1157 Stanley Gibbons IN 1509 |
| Themes | Boxing | Olympic Games | Sports | |
The Ancient and Modern Olympic Games
Table of Contents
Ancient Olympic Games
- Origins: The ancient Olympic Games were established by the Greeks in Olympia to honor Zeus, their chief deity. Held every four years, these games were not just athletic competitions but a form of tribute to the gods.
- Events:
- Boxing: Participants fought with bare fists in a grueling test of endurance and strength.
- Wrestling: Known for its violent nature, wrestling was a key event in the Games.
- Racing: Races over a distance of approximately 200 meters, known as stades, were a prominent feature.
- Chariot Racing: This prestigious event saw winners awarded 100 vases of olive oil, along with other gifts like food supplies, arches, or statues.
- End of the Games: The ancient Olympics were abolished in 393 AD by Emperor Theodosius I, who sought to eliminate pagan practices.
Revival of the Modern Olympics
- Pierre de Coubertin: Inspired by the ancient traditions, Frenchman Pierre de Coubertin envisioned a revival of the Olympic Games. He publicly proposed the idea in 1892 and, with enough support by 1894, Athens was chosen as the venue for the revived Games.
- First Modern Olympics: The inaugural modern Olympics took place in Athens on April 5, 1896. King George I of Greece officially opened the Games, which featured 42 events across ten disciplines, with 285 participants.
Boxing in the Olympics
- Historical Context: Boxing has been part of the Olympic Games since the ancient period. It was included in the first modern Olympics in 1896 and has remained a staple of the Olympic program.
Indian Achievements
- Wrestling: India won its first Olympic medal in wrestling through K. D. Jadhav, who secured a bronze in the 1952 Helsinki Games. This remains India’s only Olympic medal in wrestling.
- Hockey: India has a storied history in Olympic hockey:
- Gold Medals: India won gold in hockey at the 1928, 1932, 1936, 1948, 1952, and 1956 Olympics.
- Silver Medal: India secured a silver medal in 1960.
- Bronze Medals: India won bronze medals in 1968 and 1972, making a total of seven golds.
Olympic Torch Relay
- Tradition: The Olympic Torch Relay symbolizes the continuity and unity of the Games. The flame is lit at the Temple of Zeus in Olympia and carried by runners to the host city, where it is used to light the Olympic cauldron.
- Barcelona 1992: A memorable moment in the relay occurred when the torch was ignited by a lighted arrow shot by an ace archer during the Barcelona Olympics.
The Olympic Games continue to celebrate athletic excellence and international unity, bridging ancient traditions with modern competitions through events like the torch relay and the inclusion of diverse sports.