The origin of Olympic Games goes back to the end of fourteenth century B.C. The original games were purely Greek in culture, which led to their being banned by the Emperor Theodosius in A.D. 393. The Games as we know them today, were revived in 1896. In June 1894, the International Congress of Paris for the re-establishment of the Olympic Games was convened in the amphitheatre of the Sorbonne of Paris. Its success surpassed the hopes of Baron de Coubertin, inspirer of the revived Olympic Movement and rightly called the father of the modern Olympics. On 23rd June, the Congress, with the unanimous support of the seventy-nine delegates and forty-nine sports associations from twelve countries present, agreed to re-establish the Games, choosing to hold them in the true Hellenic tradition in Athens in 1896.

The 1896 Olympic Games were thus held in Athens in the Pan Athenic stadium of Harodas, which was amalgamated so that there was 400 meters circuit, with sharp turns. There were ten sports included in the first programme: Cycling, Gymnastics, Tennis, Swimming, Lifting, Rowing, Wrestling and shooting. The games have been held regularly every 4 years thereafter, except for the two World Wars; and have grown with the passage of time. Today there are twenty-one sports, besides a 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 at Dominican, Father Henry Didon, who had a great influence on Coubertin. The Twenty Third Summer Olympics are being held in Los Angeles, California, Sam, the eagle, as designed by Walt Disney Productions is the official mascot, while the star Emblem symbolizes the speed and competition spirit of the contestant.

The Los Angeles Games are planned to be the first Olympic financed by private industry sponsors. A non-private organisation, incorporated under the laws of the State of California will manage the event. Though it joined the International Olympic Committee only in 1927, India has been taking part in the Games since 1920. Besides Hockey, which had been our forte for a record spell, India shall this time be sending a seventy strong contingent who shall participate in Athletics, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Shooting, Boxing and Tennis (demonstration). Whatever laurels and awards, our sportsmen win, India shall certainly live up to the Olympic ideal that taking part is more important than winning.

The Indian Posts & Telegraphs Department is proud to commemorate India's participation in the XXIII Olympics with the issue of these four stamps.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India