Sports aid - Germany / Federal Republic of Germany 2004 - 55 Euro Cent

The proceeds from the special postage stamps »For Sport« will benefit the Deutsche Sporthilfe Foundation and thus support the social interests and tasks of the Foundation in all areas of sport. From 17 to 28 September 2004, the world's best disabled athletes gathered in Athens for the 12th Paralympics. Around 4,000 athletes from 130 countries competed in five groups: amputees, paralyzed, spastic, blind and visually impaired, and people with intellectual disabilities. Forerunners of the Paralympics are the "Stoke Mandeville Games". They took place on July 28, 1948 in Aylesbury near London parallel to the start of the Summer Olympic Games in London. These were sporting competitions (archery) for former soldiers who suffered paraplegia during the war. The Paralympics are governed by the Olympic rules of fair play. Due to the great sporting achievements of the disabled athletes, the Paralympics have become a worldwide recognized sporting event.