Australia Post has released a commemorative postage stamp to honour the sesquicentenary (150 year) of the birth of Edwin Flack (OM 1890), Australia’s first Olympian of the modern era.
Flack was the sole Australian competitor at the inaugural modern Olympic Games, held in Athens in 1896.
Aged just 21 years, he participated in five events, placing first in the 800m and 1500m events.
Displaying incredible determination, in blazing heat Flack took part in the marathon event just a day after both his victory in the 800 metres final and playing a doubles tennis match. It was a distance he had never run before and, while in the lead just three kilometres before the finish, exhaustion took its toll, causing him to collapse and had to complete the distance by carriage.
In addition to the track events, Flack also competed in tennis singles and doubles. Although previously only a social player, Flack claimed an impressive third place in the doubles event.
By the conclusion of the Games, he had achieved legendary status and was affectionately nicknamed ‘The Lion of Athens’.
Stamp honours Flack’s sporting glory
The $1.20 postage stamp features a sculpture of Edwin Flack created by artist Louis Laumen. Commissioned by Melbourne Grammar School, the monument sits proudly at the entrance to the School’s sporting grounds – Edwin Flack Park – in Port Melbourne.
The stamp also includes the logo of the Australian Olympic Committee.
The stamp will be available for purchase until March 2024 at selected post offices and through mail order here on the Australia Post website.
Other forms of recognition
The fine contribution of Edwin Flack to our sporting history has been acknowledged in various ways over the years.
Flack was previously commemorated on a 45-cent Australian postage stamp in 1996, the Olympic centenary year.
A statue of Edwin Flack by sculpture Smiley Williams was erected in Flack’s home for many years, the City of Berwick, in 1996 to mark the centenary of his achievements in Athens.
He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame for his contribution to the sport of athletics in 1985 and was elevated to a Legend of Australian Sport in 2009. Flack was inducted into the Athletics Australia Hall of Fame in 2000.
The annual Athletics Australia Edwin Flack Award is awarded to an athlete who has rendered distinguished service to athletics. Recipients include Robert de Castella AO MBE and Cathy Freeman OAM.
