Athletes at the Canada Summer Games in St. John’s are competing in 19 sports. But there’s also the unofficial 20th sport that has the eyes of many — pin trading.
Leah Quinlan and Sarah Baker, rugby sevens players representing Newfoundland and Labrador, were quick to get in on the craze.
“We go pin trading a lot. Every night before bed we go out. And we just stand waiting for someone to come up to us,” Quinlan told CBC News on Wednesday. “If you stand, the amount of people [who] come up to you asking for pins is crazy.”
Pins can come from just about anywhere around the running of the event. There’s designs for sale at venues. Canada Games organizers and community sponsors often have their own. And athletes are given a set of specially designed pins from their home province.
Trading often happens fast and furious, with staff having to tell athletes not to get rid of all of their pins at once.
Most provinces also include a set of pins — usually a duo or trio — that are tied to a theme or create a larger picture when connected. For example, Team Yukon has two pins at this year’s event that form the shape of the territory when put together.
Quinlan said each of the home province’s special pins, a puffin and two dogs for Newfoundland and Labrador, are in high demand.
