Sunday 22 July 2012

Faster, Higher, Stronger

GB 1980 "Sports Centenaries"
 I was going to illustrate the Olympic motto of "faster, higher, stronger" but though I can illustrate the first
two I can't find any weightlifting stamps in my collection so just imagine that one. Just like imagining the Olympic rings on the US stamp. A dispute meant that the International Olympic Committee prevented USPS from using them so they they came up with five overlapping five pointed stars instead.

This year's Olympic Games will be the third held in London  
"Globe and Laurel Leaf"
  but those of 1948 are generally referred to the 'Austerity Games' but despite London still having bombed out buildings, post-war rationing and in dire economic conditions they turned out a great success.
"Speed"
No new venues were built and the athletes were housed in existing buildings
"Olympic Symbols"
59 nations took part and the USA headed the medal table.  GB won 3 golds, 14 silver and 6 bronze
"Winged Victory"
This year 216 nations will come to London and I look forward to see the medals and stories unfold. 

An entry to Viridian Postcard's Sunday Stamps theme - Olympics

8 comments:

Bob Scotney said...

Good to see the 1948 stamps - no commercialisation at all.

VioletSky said...

There is something a little odd about that floating crown....

Marcie said...

I like the 1980 stamp, it's so dynamic!

Scriptor Senex said...

Those 1948 stamps are so much nicer than the 2012 stamps. I'm very disappointed in therm, though the GB Gold Medallist ones may be better.

viridian said...

These are great. I do vaguely remember the 1980 USA stamp. thanks for participating!

Aimee Dars said...

You can really see the effort the runner is making!

Willa @ Postage Journal said...

I like the thought of Olympics as a history making event,not only for each competing country but also for each individual athletes.

Helen said...

That is so fascinating about the IOC not letting the USPS use the Olympic rings in 1980. I was just listening to the radio this evening about the over-commercialisation of the Games, and how "the Brand" is being protected with a lot of vigour by the London officials - with a butcher hanging sausages in the shape of the Olympic rings in his window being asked to take them down; florists not being able to make Olympic ring wreaths, etc. Very interesting!!