Honoring the Olympics: U.S. Postal Service
Issues 2004 Commemorative

Designed by Richard Sheaff of Scottsdale, AZ, and created by Artist Lonnie Busch of Franklin, NC, the stamp art features a stylized depiction of a Greek runner and is reminiscent of the artwork on ancient Greek black-figure vases. An ancient Greek vase from the University of Pennsylvania Museum's collection provided the specific inspiration for the stamp artists. On the stamp, the main figure appears in black; the same figure is repeated in red in front and behind the main figure. A classical design known as a meander or key pattern borders the top and bottom of the stamp. The Olympic rings appear below the denomination. Type along the bottom border reads, "2004 Olympic Games Athens, Greece."

Seventy-one million self-adhesive 37-cent stamps have been printed.

"We look forward to experiencing the excitement of the Summer Games and to fostering the Olympic ideal of excellence through our stamp program." said Alan Kessler, a member of the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors and present at the recent first-day-of-issue ceremony in Philadelphia. "Now, people will have this exciting new stamp to inspire them to similar heights of excellence."

The first recorded Olympic Games took place in the Greek Sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia in 776 B.C., and were held every four years for nearly 12 centuries. Beginning with a single footrace called the "stadion," the games grew to include other events including boxing, javelin and discus.

The Roman emperor Theodosius I banned the games at the end of the 4th century A.D., but after an absence of more than 1,500 years they were revived in Athens in 1896 under the guidance of French sportsman Baron Pierre de Coubertin. The summer Olympic Games have been held every four years since then, with the exception of 1916, 1940, and 1944, when World War I and II forced the Games' cancellation.

During August 13-29, thousands of athletes from around the world will again return to historic Athens. Held in the shadow of the Acropolis and other ancient sites in the city, the XXVIII Olympiad will feature hundreds of competitive events in 28 sports.

Stamps featuring Olympic themes have been popular with collectors since the first modern Olympiad. To help finance the games, Greece issued 12 Olympic-themed commemorative stamps in 1896, and since then many nations have issued stamps that pay tribute to the Olympic spirit. Since 1932, numerous U.S. stamps have honored both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.

Current U.S. stamps and stationery, as well as a free comprehensive catalog, are available by toll-free telephone order at 1 800 STAMP-24. A wide selection of stamps and other philatelic items also are available at the Postal Store www.usps.com/shop, and www.postalartgallery.com offers beautifully framed prints of original stamp art for delivery straight to the home or office.

Source: U.S Postal Service