Topps, USOC team up for 2012 Games

Posted Jan 3, 2012 by Bob D'Angelo

Updated Jan 3, 2012 at 05:50 PM

Topps will be going abroad this summer, and collectors will get a chance to put some unique cards into their collections.

The U.S. Olympic Committee announced Topps as the exclusive trading card producer of Team USA for the 2012 Olympic Games in London and the ’12 Paralympic Games.

The Olympics will run from July 27 to Aug. 12, while the Paralympics (also in London) will be held from Aug. 29 to Sept. 9.

Topps’ first release will come in the spring and will contain the country’s top Olympians, Paralympians and hopefuls, including Allyson Felix (track), Missy Franklin (swimming), Lolo Jones (track & field), Tatyana McFadden (Para track & field), Michael Phelps (swimming), Shawn Johnson (gymnastics), Jerome Singleton (Paralympics track), Hope Solo (soccer) and Jordyn Wieber (gymnastics).

The Team USA collection will contain 100 gold-medal hopeful cards — 40 of which feature authentic autographs special versions. The release will honor previous Team USA medalists, the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, sports and venues. These cards will include inserted cards embedded with Olympic pins, patches and replica medals.

A portion of each purchase will go directly to supporting the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams.

The cards I saw had the athlete set against an American flag backdrop, which looked good.

It will be a nice collection to put together in anticipation of the first Olympics in London since 1948.