Canoeist to help launch Olympic stamps

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A canoeist hoping to make her mark at London's Olympics has put her stamp of approval on Royal Mail's 2012 commemoration.

Louisa Sawers, 21, who trains with Great Britain's womens' team at Longridge Outdoor Activity Centre near Marlow, will become part of the launch of Olympic stamps on Thursday.

The first 10 designs released by Royal Mail to celebrate the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games will feature the sport of canoeing, in which Louisa competes in the K4 team event.

In total there will be 30 designs on first class stamps issued in honour of the Games, and the illustration of Canoe Slalom has been designed by British comic book artist John Royle, who has worked on Spiderman, the Fantastic Four and Wolverine.

Louisa, who moved from Walton-Upon-Thames to Bisham to work with team-mates Jessica Walker, Rachel Cawthorn and Hayleigh Mason, said: "It is exciting that canoeing has been featured on a stamp. It is great recognition for the sport."

Melanie Cornfield, Royal Mail's head of external relations for London and the South East, said: "Royal Mail has always been there to celebrate and commemorate significant moments in our history and the London 2012 Olympic Games is one of the greatest events on the planet."