Description: Green-background semi-postal stamp showing a boy athlete finishing a race, arms raised in victory as he breaks the tape, with the Olympic rings symbol above him. Inscribed “NEW ZEALAND 1968” with values 2½c Postage + 1c Health. The right margin includes a full color calibration strip.
Circa: 1968
Condition: Mint vertical strip of three with selvage and color guide intact
Notes:
The 1968 New Zealand Health stamps were released on August 7, 1968, to celebrate the Mexico City Olympic Games. The set features two sports: a 2½c + 1c "Olympics Running" stamp and a 3c + 1c "Olympics Swimming" stamp, with the surcharged amounts dedicated to children’s health charities.
New Zealand sent a team of 52 competitors (47 men and 5 women) to the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, competing in 26 events across eight sports. The nation finished 27th on the medal table, bringing home 3 medals in total: 1 gold and 2 bronze.
Mike Ryan secured a bronze medal in the men's marathon.