14 Aug 2016

Medallists make their mark on new stamps

6:18 pm on 14 August 2016

Rio 2016 Olympics - Olympic shot putter Valerie Adams appears on a new stamp in celebration of her success after she won her third Olympic medal in Rio yesterday.

A stamp commemorating Valerie Adams' silver medal for shot put at the Rio Olympics.

A stamp commemorating Valerie Adams' silver medal for shot put at the Rio Olympics. Photo: Supplied: NZPost

Adams won silver in the final after rival Michelle Carter threw a massive 20.63m. Adams had one last chance to pull back the lead but managed a throw of only 20.39m.

This is Adams' third medal; she previously won gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics.

Simon Allison of New Zealand Post said every time New Zealand won a medal at the Games, a sheet of six stamps would be printed showing the medal winners.

A stamp of Mahe Drysdale has also been issued after he won gold this morning in the men's single sculls - his second gold and the third time he has won an Olympic medal.

NZ Post issued a stamp of Mahe Drysdale to mark his win in the men's single sculls at the Rio Olympics.

Mahe Drysdale Photo: Supplied: NZ Post

New Zealand Post has issued Olympic stamps in the past, but this is the first time they have been printed as soon as the medals have been won.

"We'll be doing a bit of sprinting ourselves, and these limited edition stamps will be available to order through the New Zealand Post website shortly after the event," Mr Allison said.

They are part of a series of collectable stamps and coins produced for Rio 2016 showing the journey of the country's Olympic athletes, from training in New Zealand to Rio.