Sports Illustrated Special Olympic Issue, July 19, 1976

This item is a vintage issue of Sports Illustrated magazine, dated July 19, 1976. The cover is predominantly yellow with a gold border along the right and bottom edges, reminiscent of a medal. The title 'Sports Illustrated' is prominently displayed in blue font at the top, with 'Special Olympic Issue' in red below it. The cover features three prominent U.S. Olympic hopefuls: Scott May, Shirley Babashoff, and Frank Shorter, all depicted from the waist up in red 'USA' Olympic team jackets with white stripes. The Olympic rings logo is visible in gold on the upper left corner. The magazine appears to be standard newsprint or glossy paper, showing signs of age appropriate for a nearly 50-year-old periodical. The edges exhibit some wear, and the bottom left corner has a white, rectangular sticker, likely a mailing label or subscription address, which obscures some of the cover art. The overall condition suggests moderate handling but no severe creasing or tears are immediately visible, indicating it has been relatively well-preserved for its age. The colors are still vibrant. This issue provides a snapshot of sports history, specifically in the context of the 1976 Olympic Games, highlighting key American athletes.