Gymnastics, Olympic Games Issue Los Angeles, Republic of Cyprus

Gymnastics, Olympic Games Issue Los Angeles, Republic of Cyprus

Postage stamps--Cyprus--History

Γραμματόσημα--Κύπρος--Ιστορία

The Los Angeles Games of 1984 will be remembered by all for their commercialization, their Hollywood ceremonies and for the 13 abstentions from the East European countries including the U.S.S.R. who professed that the security measures were insufficient to ensure the safety of their athletes. The Americans bearing in mind the huge debts that Canada had accumulated in the 1976 Games, put up even the Olympic flame for sale at U.S. Dollars 3,000 per kilometer. Greece in protest would not hand over the flame in a formal ceremony but has it transported by helicopter from Olympia to Athens airport whence it continued on its journey. At the end, the committee in charge of the L.A. Games had made a profit. One of the outstanding personalities in these Games was the American Carl Lewis who won four gold medals in the 100 meters, 200 meters, 4X100meters relay and the long jump. But the most touching event was that of Elizabeth Gabriel Anderson Symes, running in the marathon. She entered the stadium staggering, her right leg and her left arm completely out of her control. The crowd in the stands sat stunned. Doctors in attendance at the Games rushed immediately to her side, but with great difficulty she made them understand she wanted no help. She persevered; the crowd burst clapping with encouragement and continued to do so as she stumbled right and left towards the finishing line. It
took her 5 minutes and 22 seconds to be the 37th to cross the finishing line and she immediately collapsed from exhaustion. The crowd did not stop clapping. Television stations the world over kept repeatedly showing her tremendous and courageous effort and her picture appeared in all newspapers and periodicals.

Cyprus Post, Republic of Cyprus

Κυπριακά Ταχυδρομεία, Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία

Cyprus Post, Republic of Cyprus

Κυπριακά Ταχυδρομεία, Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία

Library of Cyprus University of Technology

Digital Heritage Research Lab of Cyprus University of Technology

18th June 1984

Designer: N. Haine, England

Απαγορεύεται η δημοσίευση ή αναπαραγωγή, ηλεκτρονική ή άλλη χωρίς τη γραπτή συγκατάθεση του δημιουργού.

www.cypruspost.gov.cy

TIFF

EL, EN

Image

1984-OLYMPIC-20C

35.160417, 33.346556

Harrison and Sons Ltd, England