Olympics Get 'Stamp Of Approval'

The Olympics are coming – with Royal Mail putting aside its industrial relations problems by commissioning some of Britain's top artists and illustrators to create three sets of stamps, to be issued over the next three years, in the run up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

A total of 30 1st Class stamps will be issued in the series, with the first ten going on sale on 22 October.

Sports featured on the first set of stamps include track athletics, canoe slalom, diving, judo, basketball, weightlifting and badminton alongside the Paralympic sports of archery, equestrian and boccia.

To launch the Royal Mail Olympic and Paralympic Games stamps at the Mary Peters Track in Belfast, Royal Mail teamed up with Northern Ireland gold medallist, and world record holder, from the 1972 Munich Olympics, Mary Peters.

Mary (pictured) said: "The Olympic Games hold special memories for me and I am delighted that the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Royal Mail will be working together to celebrate this marvellous event.

"It is a huge honour to have these stamps created in celebration of the Olympic Games and I look forward to seeing the forthcoming issues. They are a wonderful way to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic Games and mean that the whole country can get involved in this fantastic festival of sport between now and 2012," she commented.

Barbara Roulston, Head of External Relations, Royal Mail Group said: "Royal Mail has always celebrated and commemorated significant moments in our history and the London 2012 Olympic Games is set to be one of the greatest events of our time.

"We hope these stamps play their part in the countdown to the Games, but also to highlight both the sporting and cultural legacy of this wonderful event."

(BMcC/KMcA)