Youth and adults, athletes and staffers alike, participate. For many, a neckstrap full of pins is the ultimate souvenir of their service at the Games. Though some collect based on perceived value, he explained, the hobby isn't about financial gain. It's the exchanging they like. And it's not uncommon for athletes and volunteers to just give some pins away.
Most trades occur one on one, in the hallways of hotels and at sporting events.
Others occur at a pin-trading table at Special Olympics Town, an athlete recreation site at the Egan Center open to the public several days this week, including today. Presided over by volunteers from Clipped Wings, an organization of United Airlines flight attendants, the table of pins brought steady interest. Every volunteer was also decked out in her own collection. Lesley Packel, Russian interpreter with the language services team, sported at least 40 pins from different nations and American states on her vest. Many exchanges are memorable, bringing with them stories that will travel with the pins.