Royal Mail launches set of Paralympics stamps
In addition to stamps commemorating Olympic and Paralympic gold medal winners at this summers Games, the Royal Mail is to issue four stamps commemorating Paralympic sports.
A set of four stamps will feature wheelchair basketball, powerlifting, athletics and cycling, alongside London landmarks St Paul’s Cathedral and the Palace of Westminster, Royal Mail said today.
They go on sale 29 August, when the Paralympic Games begin in London.
Royal Mail also said it will paint red postboxes gold in the home town of every gold medal winner from Britain, as it did during the Olympics.
“We hope these stamps will help get the nation excited about the Paralympic Games and encourage the public to support ParalympicsGB when it’s our turn to compete against the best in the world,” said Tim Hollingsworth, Chief Executive of the British Paralympic Association, said.
Welcoming Paralympians
Royal Mail initially announced plans to honour British Olympic Games champions with their own first-class stamp. That was later expanded to honour gold medal Paralympians.
At the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, ParalympicsGB won 42 gold medals and many felt they deserved the same tribute.
“London is looking forward to welcoming Paralympians from all over the globe, and we think these stamps are an excellent way to reflect the once-in-a-lifetime event,” said Moya Greene, chief executive of Royal Mail.