Pin trading is like any other collector past time. As Steve wrote those interviewed all started swapping early on and so the fever grows from there.

12 Olympics is really impressive! I expect that the Olympics draws a high amount of interest as it is happens every four years. I just wonder whether those collectors are there for the pins or the sport?

By Chris from http://www.boatpride.com

I watched the opening ceremony of the Chinese Olympics last night, and I was in awe at the spectacular effort and pride they put into presenting the Olympics. Not only did they out do themselves as a country but they also gave a warm welcome to all the athletes.
Congratulations to the Chinese people for a job well done !!!!

Theja Anderson
Cape Coral, FL

Anyone just watch the medal ceremony where Michael Phelps just earned his first gold medal? Not only did the Chinese play a distorted version of the national anthem, but they also failed to play the anthem its entirety. I guess four years wasn’t enough time to get it right!

I was a volunteer at the Main Press Center in Atlanta at the ‘96 Olympics. As you may recall, we were in hot water about the computer system, which had been developed by IBM, and did not work at all the way it was supposed to. Reporters were furious! I worked at the Help Desk, and I’ve always said I was insulted by people from six continents. It was great fun! (I mean that.) Anyway, the pin trading was really a pleasure, and I still cherish my little collection today.

My first pin was a tiny Japanese flag, given to me by a journalist who spoke not a word of English. I determined somehow that he needed to send a fax. (I guess “fax” is a universal word.) This was accomplished by going to the interpreters’ desk, getting a Japanese interpreter on the phone, and handing the phone back and forth until he understood what to do. Afterward he was very relieved and handed me the pin. (I hope I gave him one, but I don’t remember.) We bowed to each other. It’s one of my fondest memories of the Olympics.

Quick clarification: Note that before 1992, the Olympic games were always held every 4 years – but since then, it has effectively been every 2 years.

Prior to 1992, the Winter and Summer games were held in the same year. But, due to the desire to have some competitors have enough time to train for events in each type of game (Winter/Summer), the IOC changed the schedule to pursue a bit more time between each seasonal Olympics. Since 1994, the games alternate Winter, then Summer – every 2 years. This still means that Winter games are held 4 years apart (as are Summer), but that “an” Olympiad is taking place every 2 years.

Back on-topic: Great article about some very-unique collectors. I’m sure there’s no shortage of unique pins to be discovered – I’d love to hear statistics on just how many unique pin designs are estimated to exist.

Does anybody wonder if the guy that killed the tourist went to work and when he came back his home was demolished?

There is a great documentary called Pindemonium about this subject.

http://www.pindemoniumthemovie.com

I started collecting and trading pins when I worked as a police officer at the Calgary Olympics in 1988. I have several pins which apparently are worth quite a bit of money, as they are “one of a kind”. Apart from being fun to collect, some people make a small, lucrative business out of this hobby. Some of the collectors I dealt with even have old Olympic medals obtained over the years. It’s a fun hobby to get into, and a great way to meet other traders from around the globe…

Of all the olympic pins — which is the oldest you have seen ???
Per chance have you had the good fortune of seeing any pins
from the 1928 – 1932 or the 1936 Olympic games???

Pins are a hot commodity, as is the Beach Volleyball event in the Olympics. For all you Olympicsl fans, a new book digs deep inside the sport of pro beach volleyball to uncover all the behind-the-scenes stories about the life and times on the AVP pro beach tour – the largest in the world. All the struggles and successes are captured in this exciting and groundbreaking book. “Order On The Court”, written by Tom Burke, is now available at http://www.orderonthecourt.com and has been published just in time for the Olympics in Beijing.

Loved reading Steve’s piece on Olympic pin swapping. We had an Olympic venue here in Santa Barbara in 1984 and I really got into it. The two hardest to get were China and Romania — but I did. After it was all over I had big batch of lucite disks made with hole punched in each, had pin part removed and glued them to disks and attached to big silver chain necklaces. Have them out wearing them now. Brings back lots of memories of some of people I swapped with long after we’ve lost contact.

Beverley Jackson

felix, you’re right. So you think that’s all the tourists’ faults? So many homes demolished and so many tourists are in danger, eh?

A great hobby and fun meeting people. Family and I have gone to 4 Olympics – 80 Lake Placid – 84 LA, 96 ATL, 02 SLC and are planning Vancouver. Have many unique items including NOC’s swapped from event winners, jackets, sweats, Russian hockey pins from “The MIracle on Ice” game, swapped with a group of Russian visitors and even Mike Eruzione’s autograph on the Gold Medal game ticket vs Sweden. Best was LP due to the proximity of events and smal town flavor which allowed of interaction with athletes, media, and visiting dignitaries. All priceless memories forever.