Name: Zaher Bin Wahab

From: Singapore

How long have you been collecting? 3 years

How many pins do you own? 184

As you might remember, the inaugural Summer Youth Olympic Games (YOG) was held in Singapore in August 2010. Here is a pin project that I did with the student in my school.

My name is Zaher and I am a Primary School teacher from Singapore and this is my favourite Pin story...

In August 2009, after volunteering at the 1st Asian Youth Games (which was a test event for the YOG), I initiated a small project which I named the "Countdown to the 1st Youth Olympic Games" Pin Project with my form class - Primary 3 Gabriel.

What does this project entail you might wonder?

Well, basically I wanted to allow my nine year olds to have the opportunity to do several things during the 1 year countdown period to the inaugural Youth Olympic Games. (Note: We started this project in August 2009 - exactly 1 year before the YOG in 2010)

1) I wanted them to be immersed in the Olympic spirit and be at one with the Olympic values of friendship, excellence and respect.
2) I wanted them to recognise (or at least know the locations of) the 205 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) that would be participating in the Youth Olympic Games.

So what did I do?
With help from Mr Chris Chan (Secretary General of the Singapore National Olympic Committee), I managed to get the addresses of all 205 NOCs of the world.

What began in my 1 English class soon spread to the whole school! In total, 205 students from the whole school participated.

Each participant wrote a letter to one of the 205 NOCs to request for a generic NOC pin.

To help them, I set aside time during my English lessons (and sometimes after school) to teach the participants, the fundamentals of persuasive letter writing and after many drafts, they had written their very first formal letter.

I then collated all the handwritten letters and sent them to the NOCs. In total, during the countdown period, 184 NOCs responded to this project, some from as far as Zimbabwe and Seychelles!

Although we did not manage to meet our target of all the 205 NOCs, the students learnt:
1) to write a formal, persuasive letter
2) a bit of Geography - in order to participate in this pin project, the students had to show me that they knew what country they were writing to, hence they had to do some research and show it to me.

I am a pin collector myself and I have had many exciting moments trading pins but nothing beats seeing the joy on a student's face on the day a reply (and a pin!) comes back!

Many of my students said they truly enjoyed the experience and they definitely learnt many interesting things about the country they wrote to. In fact, I got some of them to share with the rest of the school during morning assembly.

This map now takes pride of place in our school library and that it why this is my favourite pin story.

Name: Jürgen Gorsler

From: Germany

How long have you been collecting? 2 years

How many pins do you own? 250

I was walking into the London 2012 Olympic Park after watching the hockey games. Suddenly I heard someone call out to me and I turned around and saw a little boy around 10 years old with his parents. He had seen my pins on my cap. "Do you want to trade?" he asked me.

He told me he came from Mexico and we had a nice talk and a good trade. I gave him some older pins too. This is the next generation of collectors.

Name: Marc Brenner

From: Bushey

How long have you been collecting? 4 years

How many pins do you own? 680

Two stories spring to mind: Volunteering at the Olympic Games at Heathrow airport, part of the Protocol Meet and Greet team and running into exchanging Atlanta 1996 pins.

Also escorting a Basketball Royalty down to his awaiting car and finding out that the giant man has his own personal pin collection of around 500 and giving him one of my London Union Jack flag pins from around my neck!! These are awesome memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Name: Lucy Gardener

From: High Wycombe

How long have you been collecting? Recently

How many pins do you own? 9

I've only really just started collecting, but I've already caught the bug and now just can't stop! Everywhere I go I am constantly looking for pins or trying to spy anyone else that might be a collector and willing to trade. I started collecting after I was awarded my first pin for being a Games Maker, and I have already collected several more and made my first swaps with other Games Makers and sponsors.

I didn't realise just how many collectors and traders are out there, but my ultimate goal is to one day have a collection which will always remind me of the time the Olympics came to London. At the moment although I am still waiting to find THE pin of all pins, I am hoping that my time as a volunteer at London 2012 will provide many more opportunities to collect and trade... the only problem is that the more I collect, the more attached I get to them, which is making trading tricky!

I know I will be collecting and trading long after the Olympics and Paralympics are over, I think until I am very old... what can I say I'm pinned!

Name: Darren Towers

From: Farnborough

How long have you been collecting? 18 months

How many pins do you own? 70

This is less a collecting story and more about the power of the pin!

While volunteering as a Games Maker at the Riverbank Arena for the London 2012 Olympic hockey, I was looking after the team that managed mobility and access to the venue. During a hugely busy morning with hundreds of people dropping off pushchairs, one poor toddler was pretty devastated to be separated from his buggy. His poor parents looked distraught as he cried his eyes out so I whipped an EDF Mandeville pin badge off my bag and gave it to him.

He stopped crying immediately and his eyes widened in delight! The parents were much happier too - and I was pretty pleased as I'd helped design that particular pin badge to raise money for the British Paralympic Association (BPA).

Such is the awesome power of the pin!

Name: Heather Barton

From: Australia

How long have you been collecting? Since Sydney won the bid

How many pins do you own? 90

My story is of a pin that has been with me since the year of my birth. It is a classic story of a pin languishing in a drawer.

An elderly family friend visited the 1956 Melbourne Olympics bringing back a pin brooch for my grandmother. It was a pressed metal bow with a small leather wallet containing a fold out of hand coloured photos of the venues and John Landy, a famous Australian Olympic athlete. Since it was my birth year, my grandmother put it in a drawer along with the bling I could play with each visit until I was old enough to be trusted to keep it.

For many years it sat in my jewellery box, only opened during Olympic Summer Games. For each Olympics it would be brought in for my school students to handle and dream of attending an Olympic Games. This pin inspired me to believe that my beautiful city would one day host an Olympics.

To my joy, through my work, I was in contact with one of the bid team at Monaco when Sydney won the right to host the Olympics. Upon his return I received a small black background bid pin. My collecting journey had begun.

That Melbourne pin is now the pride of my collection and a reminder of my grandmother's love.

Name: Selene Stephansson

From: London

How long have you been collecting? 18 years

How many pins do you own? Nearly 200

It all started when I was around 8 years old. My uncle always travelled to different countries and collected pins to add to his hat. I was impressed by his collection and one day he decided to give me a hat and a pin (my first one). By this time, I was passionate about pins and my goal was to have more pins than my uncle. He had this amazing pin from Moscow (Olympic Games Mascot) which I always wanted.

Unfortunately he passed away a couple of years ago and guess who could have all of his collection? That's right!

My favourite pin is from 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics - Misha bear - The first major mascot in the Summer Olympic Games. I wasn't even born. This is the only one I will never trade.

By Lauren Mattera

September 20 - During the unprecedented success of London 2012, insidegamescollecting's My Favourite Pin Story competition received an exciting array of entries from all over the world, and, with the spectacle now over, we want to hear the fascinating paths you followed to collect your favourite pins.

Name: Dr Shreedhar 

From: Grantham

How long have you been collecting? From July 22 2012 

How many pins do you own? About 50

When I volunteered as a Games Maker at London 2012 Olympics in mid-2012, the only Olympic pin I had was an India-Sydney pin gifted by my friend Satish when I stayed with him at the Sydney Olympics 2000. Inspired by that atmosphere, I kept my medical qualifications under my hat and got posted at the Athletes' Village, sharing the space with over 7000 of the world's best achievers and personalities.

During the course of 23 days of supporting various National Olympic Committees (NOCs), McDonalds gave us 4 pins: a Games Maker logo in multicolour, bronze, silver and gold colours. But every Games Maker got them.

When I encouraged two of my NOC Bahrain's athletes to give interviews to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Museum, I got a safe sport pin from the IOC Museum in the process. I also arranged several more interviews with athletes from Togo, Uganda and the highlight was when I sat through the recorded interview of Indian bronze-medallist woman boxer - and a mother of two - Mary Kom from Manipur, India. The IOC thanked me by giving me some special pins.

Coming from Newton's place, I made a point to get the Newton pin from the 100-pin collection released by Samsung, one of the Games' sponsors.

One morning the NOC Brazil held a presentation of Rio 2016 Olympics. I attended it for my Chef de Mission and he kindly let me have the beautiful Rio pin inaugurated that day (with 'Brasil House, London 2012' on the back!)

But the first pin of London 2012 was one I cherish the most. I was going to take inventory of our flats, when I met a Nepalese official in the lift. I greeted him in Hindi & Nepalese and he was very pleased. He smiled, put his hand in his pocket and presented me with the Nepal NOC pin. I had no pins to trade at that time and he never asked for anything in return. I would not trade that pin for anything, as it represents the spirit of these wonderful Games.

Name: John Chlastawa

From: New York, USA

How long have you been collecting? since 1988

How many pins do you own? over 1,000

I try to collect Olympic pins not only the popular sponsors, but other subjects such as media, venues, NOC, sports, teams. I then take the pins which I had received from past years Games and I send these to Make a Wish Foundation for the kids who are going to the Games.

I did this for the Torino, Athens, Beijing, Vancouver Games & will do for London 2012. I usually add over 215 pins for each Games. The kids can either keep their pins or go to the pin trading venue & have fun trading.

Name: Linda Elsdon

From: Leigh on Sea

How long have you been collecting? Recently

How many pins do you own? 12

My pin story relates to the fantastic experience of working with the Olympic Committee of the Casa Brasil Rio 2016 Olympics at Somerset House. Having this amazing opportunity to be involved in the front-end of promoting the next major Olympic City is a once in a life opportunity. This will be an experience to cherish and appreciate that I have been extremely blessed to have the opportunity of working with the actual Olympic Committee and meet such high level VIPs, media and journalists and the prospect of meeting the Olympic team at the end of the London 2012 Games.

This has been a memorable and happy experience and one which can be talked about for years to come. This is a special opportunity as this is based in my home country for the London 2012 Olympics to enable me to be part of the experience in London and to see elements of the London 2012 Olympics that others have not had the opportunity to do so.

Also this has enabled me to be involved with the BT River of Music part of the 2012 Festival at Somerset House. This has made me even more an avid collector of pins which will house so many wonderful memories of my experiences during 2012 which has been an amazing year for the UK and to showcase the most beautiful City in the World - London.

Name: Robert Guthrie

From: Thornhill

How long have you been collecting? 3 years

How many pins do you own? 56

It was one of the strangest of places that I first discovered Olympic pin trading. I was at one of the music groups that I went to every Thursday evening and at break time, some glistening pieces of colourful metal stuck onto a lanyard hanging from someone's pocket caught my eye. I saw that they had Olympic rings and logos on them and so I knew that they would be relating to the Olympics - but why pins?

At the weekend, I searched the internet for more on pins and the Olympics given I just couldn't understand why pins would have significance like this with the Olympics. I found that pin trading was the 'unofficial spectator sport of the Olympic and Paralympic Games' which  I read from a particular website, that had been started up as a resource for pin trading and told you more about it. From that, and also contacting the creator, I was able to gain more valuable facts.

I later discovered that sponsors gave out pins if they were Olympic partners and thanks to this I have been trading pins with people all over the world since I got my first pin from one Olympic sponsor.

I have made some great friends through the obsession and my collection is gradually growing. I am so happy I discovered this amazing hobby and have managed to tell friends and family about it.

Thanks to all the people who have inspired me to collect pins. It is something I definitely won't regret.

Name: Francis M Samuels

From: Glasgow

How long have you been collecting? 6 weeks

How many pins do you own? 9

I am just starting out, though luck can help greatly at any time. On July 12, I met a friend and former colleague by chance. We stopped to chat just at the entrance of a large bus depot and I was telling him about my new pastime.

A member of staff walked by, into the depot and must have heard some of our conversation because she stopped, turned around towards us and asked if I would be interested in having two pin badges that she had been given at a recent PR meeting.

I managed to say a big yes please and she handed them over, after having been in her bag for a few days.

They were sponsor items, one of which was a limited issue. It just shows that good luck and generosity can come together to make someone's day.

Name: Daniel Hall

From: Australia

How long have you been collecting? since 1997

How many pins do you own? 1000

In 2000 I attended a Sydney Olympic and Paralympic pin swap meet down at The Rocks with my young son. A few limited releases were released on the day and I lined up early in a long queue to get my pins. I bought a couple of each release. It was a very festive occasion with a radio station, mascots and some Australian Olympic athletes in attendance. See picture (left) of my son and I standing next to Lizzie the Paralympic mascot. My son was actually quite scared of Lizzie! He was rather large!

While I was mingling and talking to fellow pin collectors I noticed a few Australian Paralympic athletes, one in a wheelchair, waiting in the queue in the hot sun. I went up and said "hi" and asked if they were waiting to get some of the Paralympic limited editions to which they replied "yes". I reached into my pocket and pinned some of the extra Paralympic pins I bought, onto their shirts and said "no need to wait in the queue in this hot sun." You should have seen their faces! They were ecstatic.

The young girl in the wheelchair leaned forward and said, "thank you" to which I replied, "my pleasure" - "no," she said and I looked at her with a puzzled look. She then said, "no, thank you for treating us like normal people because as far as we are concerned we are normal, that is all we have known. Usually people are standoff-ish or ask us how we are first and you didn't." I had a tear in my eye. She then said, "the pins were a bonus."

It was the best feeling I had ever had, it certainly made my day and was one of the most memorable things I remember from the Sydney Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Name: Steve Berke

From: Florida, USA 

How long have you been collecting? 20 years

How many pins do you own? 2000

In 2006, my father and I travelled to Torino, Italy, for our biennial father-son Olympics trip.  Being long time pin traders, the beginning of the Olympics is always the most exciting time to be trading pins. No one knows what any of the pins look like, so it's hard to tell which ones will be rare or more collectible.  However, this adds to the buzz and excitement of our hobby.

On the second day of the Olympics, my father and I attended the long track speed skating preliminaries.  During one of the intermissions, as a zamboni was fixing the ice, I went to the refreshments area and took out a T-shirt full of pins to start trading.  I always love trading pins at the different Olympic venues, because you never know who you might meet, and it's a great way to spread the pin-trading spirit.  After a few minutes, a tall Italian guy came up to me and said, "Cambiare?"  Being an avid pin trader, I had already learned to say "trade" in Italian, so I nodded my head yes and asked him what he had for trade.  He took out a simple pin that said Torino 2006 and had"Italia" written on it.  It looked like a generic souvenir pin that I didn't have much interest in, but I never like to disappoint anyone, and I always try to make a trade, even if I'm not getting something I

particularly collect.  Of course, the Italian guy had good taste!  He pointed to a rare Swedish NOC (National Olympic Committee) team pin! I tried to explain to him that I only trade team pins for team pins, but it was hard to communicate because he didn't speak any English. However, he eventually grasped what I meant, and soon started repeating the word "team" to me over and over again as he pointed to his shirt that said "Italia."  I put up some resistance, but eventually decided not to be rude and I accepted his trade, knowing that he got the better end of the deal.  His face lit up with excitement, and I was happy to brighten up his day.

Later that night, my father and I took out all the new pins we got that day.  It's a nightly tradition for us to "unveil" all of our new pins that we traded for earlier in the day.  I showed him the "Italian

Team Pin" that I traded for, and asked him if he thought it was real. Since it was only the 2nd day of the Olympics, we didn't know, but we both agreed that it was probably just a generic pin that anyone could buy in a souvenir store.

A few days later, my father and I were having breakfast and I turned on the television.  Long track speed skating "Team Pursuit" was live on television, and the Italian commentator was yelling like he was about to win the lottery!  I couldn't understand what he was saying, but his voice kept increasing with excitement after each lap.   I soon realised why: the underdog Italian team was about to win Italy's first gold medal of the Olympics! As the Italians sped across the finish line, they took off their spandex hoodies, looked up at the scoreboard, and smiles covered their faces as they realised that they

had just won their first Olympic gold medals!  And as they were smiling and hugging each other, I realised, that just a few days earlier, I traded pins with Enzo Fabris, a member of this Italian speed skating team who went on to win another gold medal just a few days later.  What I originally thought was a bad trade for a "fake" NOC pin turned into one of my favourite Olympic stories of all time!