Romfilatelia dedicates this philatelic project to all sport lovers, especially to gymnastics fans. The postage stamps illustrate a popular theme cherished by collectors, presented in a special graphic and chromatic concept, named Messengers of Romanian Sport, Octavian Bellu and Mariana Bitang, well known personalities of the Romanian Sport.
The postage stamp issue is dedicated to these renowned trainers and coaches of the women Olympic gymnastics team of Romania, and represents a tribute of esteem and high appreciation for the entire work and dedication in the service of promoting exceptional talents of Romanian Sport, attaining top positions in the world hierarchy.
The year 1981 marks in the sports agenda the moment bringing Octavian Bellu at the head of the women’s Olympic gymnastics team of Romania as a coach.
The participation to the major sports competitions brings the successful coach amazing achievements embodied in medals that joined the treasure of Romanian Gymnastics: 43 medals at the Olympic Games (18 gold medals, 10 silver medals and 15 bronze medals), 84 medals at the World Championships (31 gold medals, 28 silver medals and 25 bronze medals), 98 medals at Senior European Championships (37 gold medals, 32 silver medals and 19 bronze medals), adding to these ones over 100 medals obtained at World Cups and Junior European Championships.
These great results led to the objective recognition of his merits, being awarded distinguished honors and distinctions. The talented instructor and coach received the Order of “Sports Merit” 1st Class and the title of Emeritus Coach, together with the National Order of “Faithful Service” in the rank of Officer, the Gold Colane of the Romanian Olympic Committee. The Romanian President of that time, Ion Iliescu, awarded Octavian Bellu in 2004 with the National Order “Star of Romania” in the rank of Commander, and in 2012 he was also awarded the National Order “Star of Romania” in the rank of High Officer. As world recognition, in 2007 the World Records Academy named him “the most successful coach in the world”.
Starting with 1992, Octavian Bellu, as head coach, begins to collaborate with a high class trainer, Maria Bitang (better known to the public as Mariana Bitang).
During her presence as coach at the Romanian gymnastics Olympic team, the gymnasts record at world competitions counted: 22 medals at Olympic Games (8 gold medals, 6 silver medals and 8 bronze medals), 47 medals at World Championships (19 gold medals, 16 silver medals, and 12 bronze medals), 56 medals at Senior European Championships (25 gold medals, 18 silver medals and 13 bronze medals), 44 medals at Junior European Championships (25 gold medals, 18 silver medals and 13 bronze medals), to which are added over 50 medals won at World Cups.
For her entire activity, Mariana Bitang was rewarded with the title of Emeritus Coach, the National Order of “Faithful Service” in the rank of Officer, the National Order “Star of Romania” in the rank of Commander, the Gold Colane of the Romanian Olympic Committee, the Order of “Sports Merit” 1st Class, the National Order “Star of Romania” in the rank of High Officer. In 2007, the World Records Academy named her “the most successful coach in the world”.
The issue Messengers of Romanian Sport, Octavian Bellu and Mariana Bitang consists of two postage stamps with the face values of lei 2.10 and lei 9.10. The stamps illustrate the images of the two Romanian coaches during international competitions, and also stylized images of the apparatuses to which the Romanian gymnasts have won a lot of victories.
