ABC News traveled to London to cover the 2012 Olympic games. They discovered, though, a sport within the sports: Olympic pin collecting. Tents erected especially for pin trading, these hubs gather pin collecting enthusiasts from around the world. Two former Olympic medal winners were pinned against each other to see who can trade and collect the best pins in the house.
Some people are headed to the Olympic games in London to watch the sports – and some are there to trade pins. Hundreds of pin traders straddle the barricades in and around the Olympic village haggling over pin prices and trades.
“LONDON — Bill Cash, of Canada, is here in London attending his 10th Olympic Games — but you won’t find his favorite sport on the official program. Cash is an Olympic pin trader, and for the last 24 years, he’s accumulated quite a few pins. “Ooh …”
http://www.guampdn.com/article/20120806/SPORTS/208060323
With the 2012 Olympic underway in London, many large companies are unveiling their commemorative lapel pins. Apple, possibly the richest corporation worldwide, revealed their 2012 Olympic Lapel Pins. With the popularity of lapel pins in gerneral, and the hot item Apple always is, these pins are sure to garner interest in the lapel pin community.
“The company has produced a series of four lapel pins commemorating the London Olympics, displaying the Union Jack flag in place of the screen of both black and white iPhones and iPads. Apple did a similar promo during the Vancouver Games, distributing …Forbes”
http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnclarke/2012/07/29/apple-takes-a-bite-out-of-the-olympic-brand/
Coca-Cola is famous for the pins they release at the Olympic Games. These pin are sure to be future collector’s items.
“The 182 exclusive pins feature fun designs that celebrate typically British traits and traditions including Routemaster buses, butlers, bulldogs, and umbrellas. There are intricate pins that depict famous London landmarks, as well as iconic moments in …The FINANCIAL”
http://finchannel.com/Main_News/Business/112188_Coca-Cola_Unveils_Pin_Badges_to_Commemorate_the_London_2012_Olimpic_and_Paralympic_Games/
Gay Olympic pins were released two years ago in preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. They were applauded as they were released, called a “breakthrough”, yet are not selling at all. The pins feature the Official Olympics symbol combined with a rainbow heart. Critics claim that retail stores are not displaying the items due to homophobia, while retailers claim they’re not displayed to to low demand.
“Recent allegations that retailers are refusing to sell LOCOG’s (London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games) Olympic Gay pin have …Insidethegames.biz”
http://www.insidethegames.biz/collecting/17392-homophobia-is-not-why-shops-arent-selling-gay-pins-says-honav-uk-manager
Basically, the argument is who has the homophobia. Either the retailers, so they’re not selling them, or the consumers, and they’re not buying them. One would think that in 2012 this argument would be moot.