Wednesday, September 10, 2003

Canada Post has issued a 48c stamp commemorating the World Road Cycling Championships. Courtesy Canada Post

OTTAWA - Canada Post kept pace with international sport today by issuing a 48c stamp commemorating the World Road Cycling Championships being held in Hamilton, Ontario from October 6 to 12, 2003. The week-long event, consisting of ten races varying in length from 10 to 280 kilometres, is expected to attract 250,000 spectators - 50,000 of whom will visit from outside Canada - and a television viewing audience of 500 million. Eight hundred cycling stars from 50 countries make up the competitive field. The ceremony took place in the foyer of Liuna Station, before more than 175 invited guests.

Assisting with the unveiling, Hamilton West MP Stan Keyes, representing the Honourable Steven W. Mahoney, Secretary of State responsible for Canada Post, said that the City was ready to host the world. "For many people, Canada is largely identified through our elite athletes and our ability to showcase their respective sports. Whether they compete for fun in a local arena or competitively on the international stage, each athlete, coach and event organizer, advances an important Canadian tradition." Mr. Keyes added that, "like the postage stamps issued by Canada Post, Canadian athletes serve as ambassadors to other Canadians and our friends around the world. It is my pleasure to be here today to participate in the launch of this exciting stamp."

The City of Hamilton has a strong tradition of hosting international sport events, having successfully staged the World Judo championships, Skate Canada and hockey's Canada Cup, among others.

The stamp was designed by Doreen Colonello, Senior Designer at Toronto's Gottschalk + Ash International. Colonello noted that the design challenge of this stamp was to capture the essence and spirit of a cycling race - a combination of concentration, focus, speed, competition and internationalism. Four million of the stamps will be available for sale today at post offices across the country. Stamps and Official First Day covers will be available at participating post offices, ordered online by following the links at Canada Post's Web site www.canadapost.ca, or by mail order from the National Philatelic Centre. From Canada and the USA call toll-free: 1-800-565-4362 and from other countries call: (902) 863-6550. Stamp information, and downloadable images of Canada Post's stamps, may also be found in the Newsroom section of the Web site.

There are currently 18 million active cyclists in Canada, ranking it as the third most popular recreational activity, and the 10th most popular competitive sport among Canadians. Canada has a strong history of fielding top cyclists and has produced many of the sport's legends. Pioneers such as Torchy Peden, who dominated races in the 1930's and Jocelyn Lovell who, in 1974, became the National Champion in every category, set the pace for Canadian racers. Steve Bauer is most famous for his Tour de France stage victories after wearing the prestigious yellow jersey for ten consecutive days in 1990 and his silver medal at the 1984 Olympics. More recently, Genevieve Jeanson and Lyne Bessette have become cycling heroes for Canada.