Philatelists treated to new sporting FDC

(CNS): Collectors were treated to a new First Day Cover from the Cayman Islands Postal Service this month with the release of a set of stamps to commemorate the islands’ participation at the Commonwealth Games. The seven stamps represent each of the sports that the Cayman Islands competed in during the Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

The First Day Cover has all seven stamps, and features Michele Smith who held the flag during the opening ceremony at this year’s Games.

The 20¢ stamp features a cyclist, the 25¢ a swimmer, the 75¢ a boxer, the 80¢ an athlete playing squash, the $1 a member of the Shooting Club, the $1.60 a gymnast and the $2 an athlete throwing a javelin.

The Cayman Islands has been represented at the Commonwealth Games since 1978, but this year’s contingent was one of the largest, with 28 athletes. The Cayman Islands made its debut at the Edmonton 1978 Commonwealth Games. In 2002 the islands won their first medal, a Bronze in the Men's High Jump for Kareem Streete-Thompson. The next medal came during the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games, where Cydonie Mothersill won Gold in the Women's 200m, with a time of 22.89 seconds.

Assistant Postmaster General for Marketing Tara Bush apologized for the delay in releasing the stamps. “Nevertheless, we are hoping that our collectors and the sporting community will be interested in this seven stamp series, which commemorates the Commonwealth Games,” she added.
Members of the public are invited to the Airport Post Office on Saturday, 11 October, 2014 between 9 and 11am to meet athletes that competed at this year’s Games and to get the First Day Covers signed. The CIPS will also be celebrating World Post Day which includes a Santa writing programme and 2015 Christmas Stamp Competition.