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04.02.2014
On February 7, 2014, the day of opening of the XXII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Latvijas Pasts will mark the major sports event by releasing the latest stamp in the Sports series - Skeleton. The first day cancellation event will take place on Friday, February 7, in postal center Sakta, 32 Brīvības Boulevard, Riga, from 7:30 AM to 7 PM. The first day ceremony will be held at 10 AM, and, along with the Minister of Transport Anrijs Matīss and Latvijas Pasts Chairman of the Board Arnis Salnājs, will see the attendance of Marina Dukure, the mom of Latvian Olympians Martins Dukurs and Tomass Dukurs, and Latvian Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation Vice President Zintis Ekmanis.
During the presentation, anyone will have the opportunity to have the special cancellation affixed on the new stamp and send a greeting to the Latvian team in Sochi. Postcards wishing success to the Latvian Olympians will also be sent by the participants of the ceremony.
The stamp was designed by artist Ludis Danilāns, and its print run is 30,000. The new stamp is suitable for mailing a regular Class A letter to any country outside the European Union - its denomination is € 0.85. The release of the stamp is accompanied by a first day envelope and special cancellation.
Latvian skeleton racers have been participating in the Winter Olympics since 2002. In 2010, in the XXI Olympic Winter Games in Canada, Latvian skeleton racer Martins Dukurs took the second place and received the silver medal. Dukurs will represent Latvia also in this year's Winter Olympics, which will take place from February 7 to 23 in Sochi, Russia. Latvia's other representatives in the skeleton discipline are Lelde Priedulēna and Tomass Dukurs. Latvia will also be represented in the disciplines of biathlon, bobsleigh, hockey, luge, skating and skiing.
Skeleton was first included in the Olympics in 1928, and then again in 1948, but only since 2002 it has been part of the regular program of each Winter Olympics. The 2002 Winter Olympics were also the first to include women's skeleton events.
Latvijas Pasts has released stamps dedicated to the Olympic Games in the past: Olympic Games in London (2012), Olympic Games in Vancouver (2010), Olympic Games in Beijing (2008); Olympic Games in Turin (2006); Olympic Games in Sydney (2000) and Olympic Games in Atlanta (1996).
The new stamp Skeleton - XXII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi can be viewed here.
The next new philatelic release is scheduled for February 28.
About SJSC Latvijas Pasts
Latvijas Pasts ensures the widest availability of postal services throughout Latvia by maintaining more than 600 post offices. The primary function of the company is provision of the universal postal service; Latvijas Pasts also provides commercial transport, express mail, payment, press subscription, retail and philatelic services. Latvijas Pasts is a wholly State-owned company with more than 4,200 employees.
Additional information:
Agija Tērauda
Public Relations Specialist
Phone: +371 67608506
E-mail: agija.terauda@pasts.lv
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