India in XXVII Olympics 2000
Complete set of 4 nos. of commemorative postage stamps on the 27th Summer Olympic Games, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia :
Issued by India
Issued on Sep 17, 2000
Description of Stamp Designs : The four stamps portray Hockey, Tennis, Weightlifting and Discus. The Designs which attempt to capture the excitement of sporting action are indicative of India’s quest for Olympic glory.
Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Kamleshwar Singh
Cancellation : Alka Sharma
Type : First Day Cover
Colour : Multi Colour
Denomination : 300, 600, 1000 & 1500 Paise
Overall size : 2.9 x 2.9 Cms.
Printing size : 2.9 x 2.9 Cms.
Perforation : 13.5 x 13.5
Paper : Matt Chromo
Stamps Printed : 3 million each
Number per issue sheet : 40
Printing Process : Photo Offset
Printer : Calcutta Security Printers Ltd.
About :
- The Olympic Games, held once in every four years, are the greatest sporting events on the globe. They celebrate human excellence, the pinnacle of which is achieved when the mind and body strive in unison, motivated by a spirit of adventure.
- The ancient Olympic celebrations, which had its origin in Greece in the eighth century B.C., came to an end in 393 A.D. when the games were abolished by the Roman emperor Theodosius I, after Greece had lost its independence. However, the efforts of Baron Pierre Coubertin (1863-1937) of France led to the revival of the Olympics towards the end of 19th century. The games of the I Olympiad of the modern cycle were held under the patronage of the King of Greece in 1896 in Athens. The games have been held regularly every 4 years thereafter, except for the years of the two world wars, and have grown in number of sports, besides the number of disciplines within each sport. The Olympic motto “Citius, Altius, Fortius” – swifter, higher, stronger, made its appearance at the Antwerp games in 1922. Its inventor was a Dominican, Father Henry Didon.
- India is one of the oldest members of the International Olympic family. India’s participation in Olympic Games dates back to 1920 and the country has been participating in all the Olympic Games ever since. India has the credit of winning six gold medals in consecutive Olympic Games in Hockey till 1956. Thereafter in Tokyo and Moscow Olympics, gold medals were won. India has the credit of occupying the fourth place in 1956 Olympic games in Football, the game of the masses.
- To improve the India’s medal tally in the Olympic Games, the country is on course to adopt modern scientific approach in grooming talented youth in sports, backed by professional administrative management of sports. The National Sports Policy of the country spells out a time-bound programme to provide infrastructure of sports and physical education in villages and towns and appropriate equipment to sports persons. It enjoins upon the governments to preserve playfields and open spaces and emphasises the necessity of effective training and competition programmes for preparation of national teams to participate in international competitions. The Government has also launched various sports promotion schemes for creation of infrastructure as well as providing incentives to sports persons.
- India and Sydney Olympic GamesIndia would be fielding a 72 member team with 49 men and 23 women athletes in XXVII Olympic Games to be held from 15 September to 1 October 2000 at Sydney. The country will participate in 12 disciplines viz. Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Hockey, Judo, Rowing, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Weightlifting and Wrestling. The Department of Posts joins the sports lovers of the country in extending its good wishes to the Indian contingent to return form Sydney with creditable performances to gladden the hearts of all Indians.
- Text : Based on material furnished by the Indian Olympic Association.
