London 2012 Olympic Games

Inspire a Generation

The London Olympic Games 2012, officially commencing on 27 July 2012, captured global attention with the inspiring theme slogan “Inspire a Generation.” This slogan reflected one of London’s key Olympic legacy pledges—to encourage young people worldwide to engage in sports, culture, volunteering, and physical activity.

Since 1988, host cities have adopted their own Olympic slogans. Prior to this, the universal Olympic motto was “Citius, Altius, Fortius”, meaning “Faster, Higher, Stronger.”

London: A Historic Host City

London holds the unique distinction of being the first city to host the modern Olympic Games three times, having previously done so in 1908 and 1948. The 2012 Games saw approximately 10,500 athletes competing across 26 sports, with the heart of the action centred in the Olympic Park at Stratford, East London.

This Olympic Park represents one of Europe’s most ambitious urban regeneration projects, transforming 2.5 square kilometres of industrial wasteland into a vibrant green space. The legacy includes state-of-the-art sports venues and one of the largest new urban parks created in Europe in over 150 years.

Olympic and Paralympic Mascots

The official Olympic mascot Wenlock and Paralympic mascot Mandeville symbolize the spirit of the Games. Wenlock is named after Much Wenlock in Shropshire, a town that hosted early Olympic-style competitions in the 19th century. Mandeville takes its name from Stoke Mandeville, Buckinghamshire, the birthplace of the Paralympic Games in 1948.

Commemorative Postage Stamps – London 2012

To mark this prestigious global sporting event, the Department of Posts issued a set of four Commemorative Postage Stamps, along with a Souvenir Sheet. The stamps feature stylized depictions of athletes engaged in Volleyball, Rowing, Sailing, and Badminton, celebrating both sporting excellence and the Olympic spirit.

Volleyball on the Olympic Stage

 Volleyball made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 1964 Games for both men and women. Volleyball is played by two teams of six players each. The object of the game is to land the ball in the opposition’s half of the court. The key attacking move is the set and spike, in which a player feeds the ball (the set) for a teammate to power it into the opposition’s court (the spike). Volleyball requires power and quick reactions from the players.

Rowing – Strength, Stamina and Teamwork

Rowing has been staged at all Olympic Games since making its debut on the Olympic programme at Paris in 1900. Women’s Rowing events joined the Olympic programme at the Montreal Olympics, 1976. Rowing events are head-to-head races, ranging from Single Sculls to the Eight which is contested by teams of eight rowers with a cox. There are also lightweight events, where there are weight limits on the athletes in each boat. Rowing depends on a combination of strength and stamina. Technique and teamwork are vital to ensure getting the maximum speed and distance out of every stroke. A rower or team must time their race to perfection, ensuring that they have enough energy left for a fighting finish, if necessary.

Sailing – Skill Meets Strategy

 Sailing made its Olympic debut in Paris 1900 with both men’s and women’s competitions. With the exception of St. Louis 1904, the sport has appeared at every Olympic Games since. Sailing is both a technical and tactical sport. Athletes need to be masters of their boats, getting the most out of them in terms of speed and performance. They must also be able to adjust to changing conditions and race tactically to ensure the best position at each stage in the race.

Badminton – Speed and Precision

One of the most dynamic Olympic sports, Badminton made its full Olympic debut at Barcelona 1992. Badminton is a fast and dynamic sport. Players need to be incredibly fit and agile, have lightning quick reactions and excellent judgement. Doubles players must be in perfect harmony, working together as a team.

Philatelic Tribute to Olympic Excellence

Through the issuance of Commemorative Postage Stamps and a Souvenir Sheet, the Department of Posts proudly commemorated the London 2012 Olympic Games. These philatelic issues not only celebrate athletic achievement but also preserve the Olympic ideals of excellence, friendship, and respect, making them treasured collectibles for sports lovers and stamp enthusiasts alike.