XIX OLYMICS 1968. The olympic Games have a history of about 2800 years, the first recorded Games having been held in Greece in the year 776 B.C. The continuity of the tradition was broken in 394 A.D. when the then Roman emperor stopped the games by a decree. Towards the close of the 19th century, sportsmen and others interested in international goodwill decided to revive the Olympic Games. Baron Pierre de Coubertin was mainly responsible for this revival. The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in Greece in 1896. Since then, the games have been held every four years with only three interruptions caused by the two world wars.
The XIX Games were held in Mexico City were noteworthy in several respects. The number of countries and sportsmen to be represented was the highest ever. This was also the first time that the Games were being held in a developing country. This was also the first time that a venue at a high altitude has been chosen (the elevation of Maxico City being about 7500 feet above sea level).
India has been taking part in the Olympic Games since 1920. This country reigned supreme in hockey from 1928 to 1956. Losing in 1960 at the Rome Olympics, India regained the titlei 1964 at Tokyo. Other honours for India were won by K.D. Jadav, the westler who got a bronze medal in 1952 Helsinki Olympics, Milkha Singh who got the fourth place in the 400 meters run in 1960 and Gurbachan sing who secured the fifth position in the 110 meters hurdles in 1964.
India sent a 36-man contigngent to Mexico City and hoped to do well in several items.
The Indian P & T Department celebrated India's participation in the Games by issuing two special stamps in the denominations of 20 paise and one rupee. The FDC being displayed has the 20P stamp on it. These stamps were released to coincide with the opening of the Games on 12th October, 1968
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