European Team Athletics Championships on a new Polish Post stamp
On Friday, May 28th, Poczta Polska is introducing a postage stamp from the "Silesia 2021 European Athletics Team Championships" issue. The stamp, issued by the National Postal Operator, is part of efforts to promote the largest athletics event on the Old Continent, which this year, like two years ago, is being held in Poland.
The official presentation of the stamp took place on May 27 this year and was attended by Anna Krupka, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Culture, National Heritage and Sport, Tomasz Zdzikot, President of the Management Board of Poczta Polska, Bartłomiej Kowalski, CEO of the Local Executive Committee of the European Team Athletics Championships Silesia 2021, and Tomasz Majewski, Vice President of the Polish Athletics Association.
The stamp features Anita Włodarczyk and Paweł Fajdek – the highly decorated Polish hammer throwers. The athletes' silhouettes are highlighted in a striking gold color, reflecting their successes and the team's determination to defend the top spot on the podium. The stamp's backdrop is the Silesian Stadium – the venue where the European athletes will compete – along with the city's panorama. In addition to the stamp, Poczta Polska has issued a limited edition First Day of Delivery (FDC) envelope. It depicts the interior of this year's competition arena.
" The Ministry of Culture, National Heritage and Sport supports all activities that contribute to strengthening Poland's role as an organizer of major sporting events. We are perceived as a serious and reliable partner with whom the largest federations and international organizations want to cooperate. We are very pleased with this, and we will certainly continue to support this event. I am convinced that many more similar sporting events lie ahead, and therefore, numerous opportunities for further stamp issues and further cooperation with Poczta Polska, " said Anna Krupka, Deputy Minister of Culture, National Heritage and Sport.
" Thanks to our philatelic activities, we can promote the most important sporting and cultural events. The European track and field competition will once again be held in Poland. I am extremely happy that Poczta Polska can join the celebration of the European Team Athletics Championships and be a part of this extraordinary undertaking. I have great hope that our representatives will once again confirm their dominance on the Old Continent and defend their gold medal ," said Tomasz Zdzikot, President of the Management Board of Poczta Polska.
"The European Athletics Team Championships are a unique celebration of sport. Firstly, the Poles are defending the European Championship title they won two years ago. Secondly, we will be able to welcome fans in the stands, whose support will surely motivate the Polish national team. I am delighted that we were able to collaborate with Poczta Polska for this event. Not every event receives such a unique distinction as a postage stamp. But we achieved it, and I am very proud of it," said Bartłomiej Kowalski, CEO of the Local Executive Committee of the European Athletics Team Championships Silesia 2021.
The Polish Post stamp was also liked by its stars: Anita Włodarczyk and Paweł Fajdek.
" This is the second stamp I've been featured on, and I have to admit, it's a wonderful feeling. I really like the colors with the gold accent, and I'm sure this edition will serve as a reminder of this extraordinary event for years to come, " said Anita Włodarczyk.
" I really liked the emotions displayed on the badge: from pride in the discipline represented to the joy of achieving new achievements. I think the design perfectly captures what we'll be able to admire during the two days of competition at the Silesian Stadium, " added Paweł Fajdek.
The European Team Athletics Championships are a direct continuation of the European Athletics Cup. They have been held biennially since 2015. In 2019, the competition took place in Bydgoszcz, and the Polish team won the gold medal. This year's edition will take place on May 29 and 30 at the Silesian Stadium. The Ministry of Culture, National Heritage and Sport supports the organization of championship events and international qualifying competitions for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Poland in 2021. The European Team Championships received a PLN 900,000 grant. The event will be broadcast on TVP Sport. The stands will be open to spectators. In accordance with current safety regulations, 7,600 seats will be available.