Aussies celebrate Thorpe on postal stamps

Sydney: Golden boy Ian Thorpe stamped Australia's mark in the Olympic swimming pool on Saturday. Now Australia is marking Thorpe's feats on a stamp.

The teenage tornado's world record victories in the 400m individual freestyle and as one of the Australian quartet in the 4 x 100m freestyle relay will be celebrated on special stamps that go on sale from Sunday.

Australia Post has promised to issue a separate stamp to commemorate every Australian gold medal of the Sydney Games by midday of the day after the medal is won.

"These are the first of what Australia Post is hoping will be a daily addition to our tally," said David Maiden, the service's philatelic group manager.The stamps will be produced from photographs taken of the gold medallist either during the event or on the medals podium.



(c) Reuters Limited.