22 Olympics: Equestrian

The Olympic Games, with origins lost in the mists of time, have been attributed to various legends. One account traces its beginnings to a race between Pelops and Oenomaus, while another credits Heracles. Historically, the first recorded celebration of the games dates back to 776 B.C. The victor of this inaugural event was Coroebus of Elis, a moment often referenced by ancient authors for chronological purposes.

Located in Olympia, Greece, the festival occurred every four years during high summer, coinciding with the full moon. A sacred truce was declared, allowing safe passage to all, even in times of conflict. The significance of the games was such that they became the basis for measuring time, known as an “Olympiad.”

The Olympic Games ceased in approximately A.D. 393 under the decree of the Roman emperor Theodosius I, following Greece’s loss of independence. Initially, the program comprised a single event: a race the length of the stadium. Over time, additional competitions were introduced, including discus throw, javelin throw, broad jump, wrestling, pentathlon, chariot racing, and more.

Initially restricted to Greek participants, competitors eventually hailed from Greek colonies as well. The prize for victors was a crown of wild olive from the sacred olive tree behind the temple of Zeus, one of the largest Doric temples in Greece. Even kings vied for glory alongside commoners, and Emperor Nero of Rome himself sought Olympic honors.

Revived in the modern era through the efforts of Baron Pierre de Coubertin of France, the first modern Olympiad took place in Athens in 1896. Since then, subsequent games have been held in various cities worldwide, including Paris, St. Louis, London, Stockholm, Antwerp, Amsterdam, Los Angeles, Berlin, Helsinki, Melbourne, Rome, Tokyo, Mexico City, Munich, Montreal, and others. The games scheduled for 1916, 1940, and 1944 were canceled due to war.

Additionally, a separate cycle of Winter Games began in 1924 in Chamonix, France, with the 1980 edition held in Lake Placid, USA. In 1980, the XXII Olympics were hosted in Moscow, marking another significant chapter in the history of the Games. The Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department celebrates this occasion by issuing a set of two stamps commemorating the event.