Name: Ivy

From: London

How long have you been collecting? 3 months

How many pins do you own? 50

Ivy -_pinsMy Olympic Pin collection started on my 2nd shift as a Games Makers, working at the volleyball venue Earl's Court. While manning the security lanes, a guy wearing a USA T-shift arrived, putting his backpack down ready to walk through the x-ray. Suddenly, he stopped and said "You guys are doing a great job. Thank you very much" and he handed me a pin from his backpack! I did not know how to react as it's so unexpected. It was a USA volleyball pin! I was so surprised, not only had he bothered to stop to say thank you but also given me my very first Olympic pin! He had made my day, especially after a very long shift.

I got given a couple more throughout my shifts by grateful spectators for our contributions to the Games. I also remember a lady came through security and I noted she was wearing a T-shift with "Rio 2016" on it. So I asked if she's from Brazil, and she said she's here to learn from the London 2012 for Rio 2016. I had a little chat with her and casually asked if she happen to have a Rio pin. She said she already handed all of them out but then, she quickly ran away and got a pin from her friend!

During the Olympics, I didn't have a chance to visit the Olympic Park. But I was lucky  to get tickets for the Paralympics. I was amazed when I saw those veteran pin traders, proudly showing off their collections on the table. It was very interesting to hear all their stories of how and when they had started to become a pin trader and some have even been to over 10 Olympics!

These guys were all there to make friends. For instance, I had eyes on the Brunei, Taiwan and Hong Kong pins, but I knew it was not going to be an easy trade and I've only got the relatively ordinary Union Jack 2012 pins to trade. However, after a little chat and telling them why I was interested in the pin, they were all willing to trade with me as I had a little story to tell and the pin actually meant something to me! The whole experience has opened me up to the world of trading, and I look forward to trading at future Olympics!