The Gold medallist stamps are printed on Tullis Russell 104gsm gummed stamp paper by EGO Print using secure printing processes, with the whole process taking just two days from the team being on the winner’s podium to stamps being available in Post Offices.

In order to produce the stamps, and to have them available for sale in the shortest possible time after the gold medal presentation ceremony, a set template (pre-approved by the Australian Olympic Committee) is used to make the printing and distribution of the Gold Medallist sheets achievable in the shortest possible time.

Appropriate photographs are electronically transferred to the Australia Post Design Studio where a final image is selected and dropped into the pre-approved template thus creating the stamp.  The design team work from early hours to have final stamp designs completed in time.

Approval from relevant authorities, including the AOC, is part of the process and stamp artwork is sent to various contacts before final art approval. Details such as athlete names, images and event details need to be verified.

Once approved, the artwork is electronically transferred to the printer, stamps are then dispatched the next day to selected outlets enabling the Australian Olympic Gold Medallists stamp sheetlets to be on sale to the Australian public within 48 hours of the gold medal presentation in London.

Ahmed Fahour, managing director and CEO, Australian Post says “This programme recognises the hard work and success of our athletes. It also provides the public with an exciting opportunity to collect their own memento of the Olympic Games.”

Australia Post was the first country to introduce this type of print and distribution process to celebrate Gold Medal wins by Australian athletes for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

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