Isle of Man Post Office Leads the Way with Team GB Stamp Collectibles for Rio 2016 Olympic Games

DOUGLAS, Isle of Man, May 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

From 5th - 21st August 2016 the city of Rio de Janeiro will host the Games of the XXXI Olympiad and, in recognition of Team GB's participation, Isle of Man Post Office has taken the lead as the only postal administration to launch a set of Team GB stamps in celebration of this global event. The stamp collectibles are due for release on Monday (23^rd May).

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160520/370388 )

These stunning stamps are available as a set - there is also a sheetlet, presentation pack and special covers with date postmarks including first day of issue. The accompanying stamp literature includes high definition images and beautifully incorporates the colours of the Union Flag and likewise Team GB - red, white and blue. Each stamp is to the value of £1.27, and depicts the Team GB logo and a different sporting event of the Olympic Games using a range of vibrant colours - cycling, athletics, gymnastics and swimming.

A record number of countries will be participating in many sporting events at this year's Games. More than 100,000 people will be directly involved in the organisation of the Games, including 70,000 volunteers, and 10,500 athletes from approximately 206 counties from around the world are expected to come to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games to compete in front of a global audience. The inspiring performance of Team GB during London 2012 captured everyone's imagination and saw a genuine outpouring of support and pride which lifted the mood of the nation. With Rio 2016 now upon us, Team GB will be looking to retain the powerful physical and emotional connection that it has seen between fans and athletes. The sheer volume of support will not be there in person but it can be there in spirit.

It was in 2012 that Team GB's Peter Kennaugh MBE struck gold in London as part of the team pursuit track cycling quarter which smashed the Olympic and world records in the final, a century after the Island's first gold medallist in 1912. Manx-born rower Sidney Swann was the Isle of Man's first competitor to win an Olympic medal when he won gold at Stockholm 1912 with Great Britain's eights team, followed by silver in the same event in Antwerp 1920. Manx competitors have represented Team GB at the Summer Games ever since including the Isle of Man's first female Olympian, swimmer Alexandra Jackson, at Mexico 1968, and 'Manx Missile' Mark Cavendish MBE, who took part in both the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic Games.