Simone Biles’ custom pins have become one of the ‘treasures’ of the Paris Olympics, with athletes ‘begging’ to trade with the gymnastics icon.
Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, brought a pack of gold pins to Paris, which are shaped in a heart and engraved with the American’s name.
It has long been traditional for athletes to trade trinkets and souvenirs, with the custom said to date all the way back to the first modern Olympics in 1896.
This summer, it’s claimed, Biles’ pins are among the most-sought after. The 27-year-old will go for more gold in Paris in the team final on Tuesday evening.
New Zealand rugby sevens player Tysha Ikenasio got her hands on one of the pins but only after ‘begging’ the gymnast to swap.
Simone Biles ‘ custom pins have become one of the ‘treasures’ of this summer’s Olympics
Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, brought a pack of gold pins to the Games in Paris
‘I had to walk up and beg that she took one of our New Zealand pins and then she said she’d give me a personal pin,’ Ikenasio, 26, explained.
‘Okay but is a Simone Biles PERSONALISED Olympic pin the GOAT of pins?! Lucky Tysha Ikenasio!’ the New Zealand team wrote on social media.
German gymnast Pauline Schafer posted a picture of the pin she secured off Biles, writing: ‘This one is special. Thank you Simone.’
Scott Bregman, a social media producer for the Olympic Channel, told Olympics.com: ‘I knew I had one to have one.
He added: ‘A custom pin like Biles is sporting at these Games is something of a first.
Scott Bregman, a social media producer for the Olympic Channel, said: ‘I had one to have one’
‘It’s also quickly become one of the most sought-after treasures here – at least until there are gold medals being handed out.’
NBA star Stephen Curry was spotted trading badges while on the Team USA boat during Friday’s opening ceremony, while Team GB’s men’s tennis players have been competing to collect the most country’s badges.
Serena Williams was a self-proclaimed ‘first-class pin collector’, with the tennis legend starting her collection in Sydney in 2000.
Williams sourced a North Korea pin at Rio 2016 and later insisted: ‘I would never, ever, ever trade that.’
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk