Scott No: 3147
Serial number:2001-24
Values in set: 2
Miniature Sheet: 1
Denomination: 3.60 yuan
Denomination of M/S: 5.00 yuan
Date of issue: 11th November 2001
Designer: Xian Minxian, Yu Dongxu
Size of stamps: 30*40 mm (Se-tenant)
Size of M/S: 140*90 mm
Perforation:12
Sheet composition: 20
Printing process: Offset
Printer: Henan Post & Telecommunicaton Printing Works

This stamp set, The 9th National Games of the People's Republic of China, was issued on November 11, 2001. It is a commemorative stamp set consisting of two stamps in a horizontal continuous pair, along with one souvenir sheet issued concurrently. The total face value of the stamps is 3.60 yuan, and the souvenir sheet is priced at 5 yuan. The designer is Zhan Guoping. It was printed using offset printing by Henan Post and Telecommunications Printing Factory. The perforation gauge is 12 degrees, and each stamp measures 40×30 mm. The souvenir sheet measures 140×90 mm.

This stamp set was issued to commemorate the 9th National Games held in Guangdong. It features two classic competitive sports, diving and volleyball, using dynamic athlete silhouettes to showcase the spirit of athletic struggle, documenting the first comprehensive national sports event of the new century and highlighting the vigorous development of competitive sports in China.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Diving

The 9th National Games were held in Guangdong Province from November 11 to 25, 2001, with the main venue at the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center in Guangzhou. It was the first National Games held in China after entering the new century. The stamp uses a blue background, with smooth yellow lines outlining the moment a diver leaps and enters the water. The lines extend outward like water ripples. The emblem of the 9th National Games is printed in the lower left corner. The emblem is composed of red, yellow, and blue to form the number "9," resembling a running athlete. Diving is a traditional strength of Chinese competitive sports. This stamp captures the graceful and expansive movement of diving, showcasing the power and beauty of competitive sports.

Spike

The stamp uses green outlines to depict the classic action of a volleyball player leaping and spiking powerfully. The background also features wave-like lines, with the emblem of the 9th National Games in the lower left corner. Volleyball is a team ball sport widely loved by Chinese people, emphasizing teamwork. The 9th National Games featured 30 sports and awarded 358 gold medals. Many athletes broke or surpassed multiple world and Asian records. The stamp captures the explosive moment on the volleyball court, reflecting the athletes' spirit of striving and tenacious struggle.

Souvenir Sheet: The 9th National Games of the People's Republic of China

The souvenir sheet places the two horizontal continuous stamps in the center of the sheet. The overall background is a unified blue, with faint outlines of athletic human figures on the edges. The emblem of the 9th National Games is printed in the lower left corner. The unified layout integrates the two sports images, making it suitable for collection and viewing.

Artistic and Design Features

The stamp set uses a minimalist and abstract line silhouette design style. The two continuous stamps share a blue tone, with bright and fresh colors. Flowing curves are used to simulate water ripples, enhancing the sense of speed in the movements. No realistic facial features are depicted; the focus is on expressing the athletes' expansive and powerful postures. The two stamps contrast movement and grace, showcasing the charm of individual and team sports respectively. The design is modern and concise, full of contemporary vitality, using simple visual language to capture the 9th National Games, a national sports event at the beginning of the century.