Olympic Day Special Commemorative Covers

 

Name of Issue    :  Olympics Day Special Covers

Date of Issue      : 23-6-07

                                                           In January 1948 at its 42nd Session in St Moritz, Switzerland, the IOC approved the idea of an Olympic Day. This celebration would be used to commemorate the creation of the IOC on 23 June 1894 in Paris.
Olympic Day was held for the first time on 23 June 1948, with a total of nine NOCs hosting ceremonies in their respective countries: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Great Britain, Greece, Portugal, Switzerland, Uruguay and Venezuela.
In an effort to encourage all NOCs to commemorate and celebrate Olympic Day, in 1987 the IOC Sport for All Commission launched the Olympic Day Run concept with the objective of promoting the practice of participation in sport by men, women and children from all corners of the world, regardless of athletic ability. From 45 NOCs taking part in the first edition, today over 150 NOCs worldwide participate.
In 2009, the IOC decided to consolidate and perpetuate this success by making Olympic Day Run into a worldwide event henceforth known as “Olympic Day”.
The IOC is therefore returning to its roots thanks to Olympic Day, and hopes to encourage the various sporting, cultural and educational initiatives launched by the NOCs which go beyond the Run itself. Indeed, over the years, the NOCs developed this event by inviting participants of all ages and walks of life to practise physical activity, try out new sports with athletes and volunteers, and discover, understand and put into practice the Olympic values.
Many NOCs also take into account their specific local features and social environment to celebrate this event country-wide. Some have incorporated the event into the school curriculum while others also organise cultural exhibitions and various activities centred on the Olympic values.
Olympic Day, launched on 23 June by the IOC and organised locally by the NOCs, has now become the only annual worldwide event of the Olympic Movement. It thus contributes to disseminating the values and fundamental principles of Olympism across the world.

As a part of the 29th Olympics being held at Beijing,P.R.China,Chinese Postal Authorities issued these 5 special Covers to celebrate the Olympic Day,.The Stamp bearing the logo of Olympics "Dancing Beijing" while the tab bears the images of Athena Temple,Olympic Medals,Baron Pierre De Coubertin,Grecian Urn showing Athletes and  Zeus ....