Tel Aviv, 16 March – The Olympic Committee of Israel held a special ceremony at its HQ to celebrate the Israel Post Company’s winning of the bronze medal for “Olympia 2010”, the competition for stamps issued for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

The IOCs Olympic Philately, Numismatic and Memorabilia Commission assessed entries from the over 100 countries that had issued stamps for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, awarding the gold medal to Canada Post.

The Israeli series is composed of four special stamps that, through very unique graphics created by designer Ruth Elhanan, illustrate the sports of Tennis, Swimming, Sailing and Artistic Gymnastics.
The ceremony was attended by NOC President Zvi Varshaviak, NOC Secretary General Efraim Zinger, Mr. Sassi Shilo Chair of the Israel Post Company Board of Directors, Mr. Yaron Ratzon, the manager of the Israel Post Philatelic Services, Beijing 2008 windsurfing bronze medallist Shahar Zuberi, and the Chinese Ambassador to Israel HE Mr. Zhao Jun. 
In his address, President Varshaviak joked that, having both won bronzes, Israeli athletes are now competing for medals against the philatelic service, adding that it was time to raise the bar and win all three medals at the London 2012 Olympic Games in London.

NOC Secretary General Efraim Zinger said, “Its normal to have ceremonies at our HQ whenever athletes win medals, but the celebrations for the Israel Post Companys issue of dedicated stamps for the Olympic Games is a very special occasion, as the award places Israel in a highly respected list of countries that have won Olympic medals in stamps.”

Mr. Sassi Shilo, Chair of the Israel Post Company Board of Directors added, “Israel is known for the stamps it issues on all manner of subjects. These stamps are our ambassadors, so I am proud to receive this bronze medal and we are already preparing for the Olympic Games in London.”

The Israel Post Philatelic Service presented bronze medallist Shahar Zuberi with a personal stamp along with a collection of the other “Olympia 2010” award winning stamps.

(In photo from right: Zinger, Varshaviak, Zuberi, Shilo, .Mr. Zhao Jun-, Chinese Ambassador to Israel)