The Olympic Games are not just games. For many, these events are a way to reconnect with the thrill of sports, for others it’s showing loyalty to their nations. However, there are enthusiasts who partake in a special kind of exchange. People trade “Olympic pins” with each other. What is Olympic Pin trading? Why do people do it? Know from Olympic pin trader Kenneth Parsons who has collected most emblems and flags since Summer Olympics in Atlanta 1996.
The Olympic Games has a long tradition of pin trading, sometimes called the “unofficial sport” of the games. These pins are special editions, and collectibles made exclusively for the Olympics season.
Kenneth Parsons: The Man Who Trades Pins Since 1996
Recently, a video of American citizen Kenneth Parsons has come out. Parsons admits he’s an avid Olympics pin trader and has been collecting these pins from 1996, when he was merely 13. In the video, shared online, Parsons explains why people trade Olympic pins.
The man claims to have attended most of the Olympics Summer and Winter games since then. Read on to know what he said.
“I’m Kenneth Parsons I am an Olympic pin trader. So I have started collecting these pins since 1996 which was Atlanta, Georgia when I was 13 so it started..that’s where I started the journey, I guess. I’ve been to every game since Summer 1996 and then in between I have also been to the winter games. Not all of them, but most of them.” Kenneth said.
“This is unofficially officially the sports of the spectators. So just to trade and to meet and to interact with athletes, coaches, even locals. Yeah, definitely, if you’re going to the Olympics, you’re going to have the pins. Especially if you’re from a different country or something, bring pins to trade and just a good introduction to have as a part of that.” He added.
“A pin, in essence is when you trade pins with people, you also trade conversations, you trade pictures, but also trade memories. So each pin could be a memory just like a photo’s a memory so it’s a little but easier to manage compared to tickets that can disintegrate or get bent. These things test the time, so these will hold up pretty well” Parsons explained.
What is Olympic Games Pin trading and Why do people do it
Pin trading is a popular tradition at the Olympic Games, often referred to as the “unofficial sport” of the event. Each Games features between 5,000 and 6,000 new pin designs, created by various groups including nations, teams, sponsors, media organizations, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
These pins act as a “currency of friendship,” fostering connections among athletes despite language barriers. Enthusiasts, known as “pinheads,” use these pins to trade, and their value can vary widely.
These pins can cost you from a few dollars to thousands, based on factors such as age, material, and rarity. Pins from smaller delegations or recently renamed countries, as well as those from canceled Games or made for politicians, are often more sought after.
Here’s the history of Olympic Pins and their trading
The tradition of Olympic pin badges began at the 1896 Summer Olympics in Athens, where small cardboard disks were used for judges, athletes, and officials. By the 1904 Summer Olympics in St. Louis, metal pins were introduced.
The practice of selling commercial pins started at the 1912 Stockholm Games to help fund the event. The 1924 Paris Olympics saw the rise of pin trading as athletes from different nations began to interact more.
The 1936 Olympics in Nazi Germany saw a massive increase in pin production for propaganda and funding purposes.
Public pin trading began in earnest at the 1976 Montreal Games and grew at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. The 1984 Los Angeles Games marked a key moment with the introduction of sponsor pins. The first official trading center was established at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.
By the 1992 Barcelona Games, trading had become highly popular, and the 1994 Lillehammer Games saw a significant spike in pin production.
Recent Games have seen further increases in trading activity, including the 2024 Paris Olympics. This time the trading is boosted by spectator involvement and social media. Notable moments include Serena Williams starting her collection in 2000 and high-profile athletes like Stephen Curry and Simone Biles participating in trading activities.
Rules of etiquette for trading established by the International Association of Olympic Collectors (AICO). A US based collectors’ club for the hobby, Olympin, is recognized by the IOC. They had 500 members as of 2022, featuring a compendium of pins on its website.
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