In 2012, the Road to London stamp issue also conveyed a sense of the host city, with a playful graphical depiction of an iconic red-double decker bus, in front of an equally iconic London backdrop of St Paul’s Cathedral, the London Eye and Big Ben.
Interestingly though, some previous Olympic Games stamp issues have focused more on the events of the modern Olympic era than the host city. The Munich 1972 stamp issue and the Montreal 1976 stamp issue, for example, used a very graphic approach to feature popular Olympic sports. These depictions have also been photographic, such as those used in the September 1988 Seoul stamp issue, or a combination of approaches, as used in the October 2004 Athens stamp issue.
For the 1984 Los Angeles stamp designs, it was the sense of competition on show. Across three stamps, an athlete is graphically depicted deep in contemplation at the start of the race, exerting energy during the event and then basking in glory at the end.
1996 was a significant year, as it marked the Centenary of the Olympic Games, which was recognised in an issue of two se-tenant (adjoined) stamps, featuring the first Australian male and female gold medallists, Edwin Flack and Fanny Durack, plus one stamp for the Paralympics, in June of that year.
The July 1996 stamp focused on another symbolic moment – the handover of the Olympic Flag from Atlanta to Sydney.
Unsurprisingly, there were several stamp issues relating to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, which meant a more expansive story could be told.In 1998, the Australian Legends of the Olympics stamp issue was released, featuring Australian Olympic greats Betty Cuthbert, Herb Elliot, Marjorie Jackson, Murray Rose and Shirley Strickland.
In March 1999 a stamp was issued for the World Stamp Expo in Melbourne.
The stamp design, commemorating the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, included a reproduction of the Olympic Torch stamp from the October 1956 stamp issue.
On 14 September 1999, a stamp was issued featuring the Sydney 2000 Games Emblem, which included many nods to the host city, both within the design of the emblem and the stamp itself.
On 3 July 2000, a stamp issue was released for the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games (the Paralympic Games were first featured in the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games and Paralympic stamp issue).
On 17 August 2000, a larger-than-usual issue of 10 stamps featuring popular Olympic sports was issued. A Sydney/Athens joint issue was then released on 15 September 2000, featuring iconic architecture of each city with a graphic Olympic Flame, and acknowledging Athens as the next host city.
The Olympic Flame was also central to the 10 October 2000 stamp, which depicted the powerful moment during the Opening Ceremony when a silver-suited Cathy Freeman held the Olympic Torch aloft, ready to light the cauldron that was suspended above her head.
Significantly, 2000 also marked the first year that Australia Post issued Australian Gold Medallist instant stamps for the Summer Olympic Games. In fact, this was a not only a first for Australian philately, but also worldwide. This development was a significant exercise, in terms of technology and logistics.
The Road to Rio stamp issue, released on 2 August 2016, conveys a sense of energy and excitement. The vivid colours, rippling ribbons and athletic figures reflect the vibrant carnival spirit for which Rio is famous.
This article was produced at the time of publication and will not be updated.
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