The stamps, with face values of 11c, 16c and 76c, are the work of stamp designer and artist Maurice Tanti Burlo’, and have been offset printed by Printex Ltd of Qormi. The stamps, printed on watermarked paper with Maltese Crosses, are 35.0mm X 35.0mm in size, with a perforation of 14.28 X 14.28. The stamps are available in sheets of 10.

The Olympic Games return to their home and land of birth with this edition of the Athens Games between 13 and 29 August. The first Games of the modern era were held in the Greek capital in April of 1896, with just 300 competitors from 13 nations. Since then, 23 other editions have been held.

Malta will again be participating in the 28th edition of the games. This will be the 13th time Malta’s national colours will be unfurled at the games, since its first participation with a waterpolo team at the 1928 Amsterdam games.

A contingent from Malta will be taking part in Athens in the following sports: Athletics, swimming, shooting, judo and sailing.

The 11c “bronze medal” stamp designed by Maurice Tanti Burlo’ illustrates discus throwing, an event known from Homeric poems and one loved by the Greeks. The Corinthian design on the column in the background, with the acanthus leaf-shaped ornament, was the latest and most ornate of the classical orders of Greek architecture.

The 16c “gold medal” stamp shows the Doric column in the centre – the earliest and simplest of the classical orders of Greek architecture, enclosed in the cotinus, a wreath made from the branch of a wild olive tree that grew next to the temple of Zeus. This was the crown worn by the victors of the games.

The 76c “silver medal” stamp depicts javelin throwing, another favourite sport of many mythical heroes. This discipline was separated into ekobolon javelin throwing, which was judged by the distance thrown, and stochastikon, where the javelin was thrown at a specific target.

The Ionic design of the echinus on the column in the background was developed in the Greek colonies in the 6th century BC.

This set will be available in First Day Cover format on Friday from all Maltapost branches in Malta and Gozo and from the Maltapost Mobile Unit. It will also be available in mint, cancelled, as a presentation pack, and souvenir folder.

Additional information may be obtained from the Philatelic Bureau on tel: 2123 9153; fax: 2122 0789; or email: [email protected].