Info| Date | 1994, 10 VI |
|---|---|
| Value | 100 |
| Catalog no. | Mi 86 Sc 198 SG 240 Y&T 80 |
| Topic | Olympic Games |
| Occasion | 100th anniversary of the IOC |
| Description | The International Olympic Committee, was founded on the initiative of Baron Pierre de Coubertin on June 23, 1894 in Paris.
The IOC organizes the Olympic Games every two years, alternating winter- and summer games. The flags at the bottom symbolize the nationality of the members of the first committee. They came from France, Greece, Argentina, Bohemia, Italy, Hungary, New Zealand, Russia, Sweden and the USA. The white-red flag does not symbolize Poland, for Poland did not exist as a state in 1894. It is a symbol for the Bohemian member Jiri Guth-Jarkovsky. Bohemia was on 1894 a provence of Austria, so it’s remarkable that the Austrian flag is missing. The most logical explanation is that De Coubertin did not want a German or German speaking member at the opening meeting in Paris. In France there was a very anti-German atmosphere after the lost war against Germany in 1871. So, in fact, this issue is not a polonica stamp but it remains on this site to explain this unexpected conclusion to everyone. Poland became a member of the IOC in 1919. |
