Olympic Games, Commemorative Ιssue
Dublin Core
Title
Olympic Games, Commemorative Ιssue
Description
Αccording to mythology the Olympic Games originated in a foot race run by girls for the privilege of becoming the priestess of the Moon Goddess Hera and a second foot race was run by young men for the dangerous privilege of becoming the priestess’consort. The games were in fact a pagan festival held in Olympia in honour of Zeus, King of the Olympian Gods, and it was Hercules who established the four year Olympic festival that came to be called “Olympiad”. The first was held in 776 BC.
Hercules having brought the wild olive from the Hyperboreans to Olympia, he ordained that the Aetolian umpire should crown the victors with its leaves which were to be their only reward. (Robert Graves, Greek Myths pp.178,179,491,492)
In 68 AD the Roman Emperor Nero was in Greece to perform his songs and compete in the chariot races in the Olympic Games which he won even though he fell out of his chariot. (Simon S. Montefiore, Jerusalem, page 124)
The Olympic symbol of five rings first appeared in 1908 while the Olympic torch was introduced in 1936. The XXIX Olympiad since 1896 was held in Beijing, China, from 8th to 24th August 2008, and Cyprus was participating for the eighth consecutive time since 1964.
The official logo for the games was titled “Dancing Beijing” which featured a stylized calligraphic character “Jing” meaning capital and referring to the host city.The games were held in 37 venues. The centre piece, the National Stadium, was nicknamed “The Bird Nest” because of its most unusual design. The opening and closing ceremonies and all athletic competitions were held there.
10,942 athletes took part in 28 sports and 302 events. 43 world records and 132 olympic records were set. The Chinese athletes won 51 gold medals and the United States accumulated he highest total of 110 medals. Cyprus athletes participated in the sailing, high jump, tennis and shooting events.
Hercules having brought the wild olive from the Hyperboreans to Olympia, he ordained that the Aetolian umpire should crown the victors with its leaves which were to be their only reward. (Robert Graves, Greek Myths pp.178,179,491,492)
In 68 AD the Roman Emperor Nero was in Greece to perform his songs and compete in the chariot races in the Olympic Games which he won even though he fell out of his chariot. (Simon S. Montefiore, Jerusalem, page 124)
The Olympic symbol of five rings first appeared in 1908 while the Olympic torch was introduced in 1936. The XXIX Olympiad since 1896 was held in Beijing, China, from 8th to 24th August 2008, and Cyprus was participating for the eighth consecutive time since 1964.
The official logo for the games was titled “Dancing Beijing” which featured a stylized calligraphic character “Jing” meaning capital and referring to the host city.The games were held in 37 venues. The centre piece, the National Stadium, was nicknamed “The Bird Nest” because of its most unusual design. The opening and closing ceremonies and all athletic competitions were held there.
10,942 athletes took part in 28 sports and 302 events. 43 world records and 132 olympic records were set. The Chinese athletes won 51 gold medals and the United States accumulated he highest total of 110 medals. Cyprus athletes participated in the sailing, high jump, tennis and shooting events.
Source
Cyprus Post, Republic of Cyprus
Κυπριακά Ταχυδρομεία, Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία
Κυπριακά Ταχυδρομεία, Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία
Publisher
Library of Cyprus University of Technology
Date
Contributor
Designer: Theodoros Kakoulis
Rights
Απαγορεύεται η δημοσίευση ή αναπαραγωγή, ηλεκτρονική ή άλλη χωρίς τη γραπτή συγκατάθεση του δημιουργού.
Relation
www.cypruspost.gov.cy
Format
jpg
Language
en
Type
Identifier
2008CS76, 2008CS77, 2008CS78, 2008CS79
Coverage
35.160417, 33.346556
Files
Collection
Citation
Cyprus Post, Republic of Cyprus
Κυπριακά Ταχυδρομεία, Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία, “Olympic Games, Commemorative Ιssue
,” Αψίδα, accessed November 4, 2025, https://apsida.cut.ac.cy/items/show/44175.