UK to issue stamps for gold-medal winners

In addition to finding themselves on the winner's podium, British Olympians could also turn up on postage.

Britain's Royal Mail said Saturday it will issue stamps recognizing the achievement of each British gold medal at the London Olympics.

Royal Mail said that stamps of gold-medal winners will be on sale by lunchtime the following day at 500 select post offices around the U.K. - the first time the company has ever issued next-day postage.

The designs will feature photographs of the Team GB athlete or team in action during their final, or another moment from the athlete's journey to gold, such as the presentation of the medal on the podium.

Royal Mail chief executive Moya Greene said the stamps will be "unique souvenirs of the Games, marking the great achievements of our talented athletes."

While the initiative marks the first time Royal Mail will issue stamps to mark Olympic victories, the company has long paid tribute to the Games. It issued its first Olympic Games stamps in 1948, with four stamps bearing the five Olympic rings.

At the 2008 Beijing Games, Team GB won 19 gold medals.