In 1979, Russia invaded Afghanistan, something I am sure they quickly regretted. The USA decided to skip the upcoming Moscow Olympics after the celebratory stamps were out. This curiosity sure seemed like a grade A stamp investment to 11 year old me. So slip on your smoking jacket, fill your pipe, take your first sip of your adult beverage, and sit back in your most comfortable chair. Welcome to todays offering from The Philatelist.
The stamp displays an American javelin thrower. An individual, who paid the price in not being able to compete. He likely would not have medaled as most medalist from the period were Eastern bloc or Finnish. Even at the 84 no Soviets Los Angeles Olympics, no Americans medaled. Maybe we didn’t open the gates for our athletes.
Todays stamp is issue A1179, a 10 cent stamp issued by the USA on September 5th, 1979. It displayed a Javelin thrower training for the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. It was part of a four stamp issue showing various summer sports. There were thoughts that these stamps would be valuable due to the boycott. They are not. According to the Scott catalog, the stamp is worth 25 cents whether mint or used. Since this seems to be the minimum catalog value for any stamp, my childhood theory is conclusively and unfortunately disproved.
The Olympic sport of javelin throwing involves throwing a 3 and one half meter metal arrow for the greatest possible distance. The gold medal in 1980 went to 21 year old Soviet Dainis Kula. The silver went to another Soviet and an East German won the bronze.
The medal is controversial for two reasons. The Javelin is supposed to land by poking into the ground but Kulas glided along the ground and many believe he was given a generous spot by the officials. There were also rumours among the Finnish team that when the home team threw the stadium gates were opened. This would allow more wind into the stadium and farther throws.
At an event in 1984 in Helsinki, when Kula went on the field, the Finnish crowd chanted “open the Gates” in remembrance of their perceived taint on his medal. Kula was let go from the Soviet team in 1988 but competed as late as 1993 for his new home country of Latvia.
The javelin event was held at the 88,000 seat Lenin stadium. The stadium was built in 13 months in 1953-54 and was the host stadium for the 1980 Olympics. It was recently updated and is now known as Luzhniki Stadium. It recently hosted this years World Cup.
Well my drink is empty and I will pour another to toast the Soviet officials at Lenin stadium in 1980. At least they supported their countries team. The same cannot be said for American President Carter in 1980 or Soviet Premier Chermenko in 1984. Come again tomorrow for another story that can be learned from stamp collecting.