Set of 5: 1992 Summer Olympics Series

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MD IMORE JUN 11 29 1992 Olympics 33 1992 21233 BAL ALTIMORE JUN 11 29 1992 Olympics S 1992 21233 MD RTIMORE JUN 11 1992 1992 Olympics 21233 MD TIMORE JUN 11 29 1992 Olympics Q 33 1992 MD BAE NATIMORE JUN 29 1992 Olympics S 11 1992 21233 Capelfely MD

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or SOCCER First Day of Issue: June 11, 1992 First Issue Location: Baltimore, Maryland During spring and summer, grassy fields and stadiums belong to soccer players. Exuberant fans clamor wildly as their favorite teams skillfully maneuver the ball into the opposing team's goal. While the objective appears rela- tively easy to achieve, team members must not use their hands or arms to score. Only the goalkeeper may handle the ball. Therein lies the difficulty of this boisterous game. Born in England during the early 1800s, soccer association football as it is also called — was originally a game for schoolboys. In 1843 individuals from Cam- bridge University attempted to compile a set of uniform rules, but not until the creation of the Football Association in 1863 were regulations standardized. The sport was an instant success in Europe, South America and the United States, and in 1904 the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) organized as the governing body of international amateur soccer. Soccer made its Olympic debut at the 1900 Summer Games in Paris, with the gold medal going to Great Britain. No. 92-18 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection™ ©1992 Fleetwood® Cheyenne, WY 82008-0001 Original painting for the First Day of Issue Postcard by Tom McNeely Heetwood VOLLEYBALL First Day of Issue: June 11, 1992 First Issue Location: Baltimore, Maryland In 1895 a game called mintonette was introduced at the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) in Holyoke, Massachusetts. William G. Morgan invented the game and offered it to local businessmen as an alternative for the more strenuous sport of basketball. Observing the volleys fired back and forth across the net, a spectator suggested that the game be called volleyball — and so it was. Enormously popular by the early 1900s, the game was introduced to Europeans by American soldiers dur- ing World War I. In 1928 the United States Volleyball Association (USVB) became the sport's governing body in America and in 1947 joined the International Volley- ball Federation as a charter member. Volleyball made its first appearance at the 1964 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, with the Japanese women's team and Soviet men's team receiving gold medals. At the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles, the United States captured its first Olympic medals in volleyball; the women's team won the silver medal and the men's team secured the gold. No. 92-20 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection ©1992 Fleetwood® Cheyenne, WY 82008-0001 Original painting for the First Day of Issue Postcard by Tom McNeely Heetwood BOXING First Day of Issue: June 11, 1992 First Issue Location: Baltimore, Maryland Boxing made its Olympic debut at the Games held in 688 B.C. Competitors fought with leather straps wound around their fists, and later they added metal rings or knuckles to the straps. But there were no “rounds," no referees or “TKOs." The match continued until one of the two com- petitors signaled defeat. In 648 B.C., pancration was added to the roster of events. A brutal combination of boxing and wrestling, the contest was indeed a free-for-all which again continued until one of the contenders yielded or died — the rules of the game permitted strangulation. Emperor Theodosius I abolished the Games in 393 A.D., but they were reinstituted in 1896 largely through the efforts of Baron Pierre de Coubertin. Boxing was not reinstated until the 1904 Olympic Games held in St. Louis, Missouri. Only 12 countries participated, and the U.S. dominated the competitions. During the 20th century, the sport has introduced gifted athletes; Argentina's Carmelo Robledo; Hungary's Lásló Papp; Cuba's Téofilo Stevenson; America's Cassius Clay and George Foreman. No. 92-17 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection™ ©1992 Fleetwood® Cheyenne, WY 82008-0001 Original painting for the First Day of Issue Postcard by Tom McNeely Heetwood SWIMMING First Day of Issue: June 11, 1992 First Issue Location: Baltimore, Maryland Early Greek and Roman civilizations incorporated swim- ming lessons into boys' elementary educations and into martial training for their soldiers. Many wealthy Romans swam for fitness and recreation in their own indoor or outdoor pools. Swimming races were held in Japan as early as 100 B.C., and by the 17th century, swimming was a compulsory subject in Japanese schools. During the Dark and Middle Ages, most people believed that swimming and bathing transmitted diseases, and thus avoided water al- most completely. But by the 17th century, many European countries boasted spas and watering places which enabled patrons to reap the therapeutic benefits of relaxing swims. In 1846 Australia hosted the first swimming competition, and soon amateur swimming clubs and federations dotted Europe and the United States. The reinstituted Olympic Games of 1896 included men's swimming events, and women's swimming events debuted at the 1912 Summer Games. During the 20th century, American athletes such as Mark Spitz and Janet Evans have dominated the sport. No. 92-19 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection™ ©1992 Fleetwood® Cheyenne, WY 82008-0001 Original painting for the First Day of Issue Postcard by Tom McNeely Fleetwood WOMEN'S GYMNASTICS First Day of Issue: June 11, 1992 First Issue Location: Baltimore, Maryland Tiny yet well-muscled, she places both hands on the balance beam and executes her mount - a slow, deliber- ate press into a handstand. At 13, she displays the concen- tration of a Zen master until the end of her routine and dismount. Grabbing a few short minutes to catch her breath, she begins again. Such is a moment in the life of a competitive gymnast. Revived in 1896 through the efforts of Frenchman Pierre de Coubertin, the Olympic Games initially did not permit women's full participation in all events. But by 1912, women were competing in lawn tennis, figure skating, swimming and diving. Women's combined team exercises in gymnastics premiered at the 1928 Summer Olympic Games in Amsterdam. In 1952 women participated in a full regime of events, and the popularity of the sport steadily increased over the next two decades. During the 1970s and 1980s, competitors such as the Soviet Union's Olga Korbut, Romania's Nadia Comaneci and America's Mary Lou Retton elevated the sport to celebrity status with flawless performances. No. 92-21 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection" ©1992 Fleetwood® Cheyenne, WY 82008-0001 Original painting for the First Day of Issue Postcard by Tom McNeely Heetwood