Between 8 and 24 August 2008, more than 10,700 athletes from around the world gathered for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games – competing in 28 sports (more than 300 events) at 31 venues in and around China’s capital city.
Issue information
This momentous four-yearly event, which dates back to 776 BC and the plains of ancient Olympia, was the premier event on the international sporting calendar.
New Zealand has proudly been part of the Olympic movement since 1908, when we teamed up with Australia to compete under the banner of ‘Australasia’. We won our first medal the same year, with a bronze for Harry Kerr in the 3,500-metre walk. In 1920 we sent our first official Olympic team, and since then our athletes have achieved remarkable success, winning gold in sports ranging from boxing to athletics, yachting, rowing, hockey, equestrian, canoeing, boardsailing, swimming, cycling and triathlon.
In this stamp issue New Zealand Post celebrated all of those New Zealanders who strive to achieve at the pinnacle of their chosen sports.
Glamour and Glory
The drama, the action and the excitement of the Olympic Games were superbly captured in the first day cover. Fearless, resolute and at the peak of their physical and mental fitness, our athletes were ready – perhaps more than ever in their lives – to represent their country as champions of their sports.
Product Listing for 2008 Beijing Olympic Games
| Image | Title | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
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Single Stamp
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Single 50c 'Celebrate' gummed stamp. Our 2008 Beijing Olympics stamp issue is a celebration of the event and the people who make the Olympics the ultimate sports event – those who’ve represented us with distinction in the past, and those who’ve proved they have the drive, the determination and the performance record to compete in 2008.
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$0.50 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single 50c 'Passion' gummed stamp. The Olympics stamps depict four of the sports in which Kiwis have excelled – cycling, rowing, canoeing and athletics. Closely connected to our 2008 Children’s Health issue, the stamps share a similar design and illustrative style – demonstrating through words the link between the children of today and the sporting heroes of tomorrow. |
$0.50 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $1.00 'Succeed' gummed stamp. Olympic ‘success’ is measured in many ways – and a gold medal win is simply one of them. For New Zealanders, every athlete who represents our country is already a success; we’re hugely proud of their dedication to their sport, their willingness to train to the limits of their endurance, and their spirit of healthy competition wherever in the world their talents take them. |
$1.00 |
 |
Single Stamp |
Single $2.00 'Motivate' gummed stamp. With a long history of outstanding Olympic successes behind them, the 2008 New Zealand team had plenty of motivation! It’s a team spirit that has taken generations of teams from this small, isolated country to compete against the best in the world – and often to return victorious. |
$2.00 |
 |
First Day Cover | First day cover with stamps affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue. | $4.50 |
Technical information
| Date of issue: | 2 July 2008 |
|---|---|
| Number of stamps: | Four gummed |
| Denominations: | 50c gummed (x2), $1.00, $2.00 |
| Stamps and first day cover designed by: | Martin Bailey, Auckland, New Zealand |
| Printer: | Southern Colour Print Ltd by offset lithography |
| Number of colours: | Four process colours |
| Stamp size: | 35mm x 35mm |
| Paper type: | Tullis Russell 104gsm red phosphor gummed stamp paper |
| Number of stamps per sheet: | 25 |
| Perforation gauge: | 14.25 |
| Special blocks: | Plate/imprint blocks could be obtained by purchasing at least six stamps from a sheet. Barcode blocks were available in both A and B formats. |
| Period of sale: | These stamps remained on sale until 30 June 2009. |