Vivianne Robinson, a 66-year-old Santa Monica native, has been bitten by the Olympics bug since the 1984 Los Angeles Games. Four decades later, she is experiencing her seventh Games in Paris, soaking up the sporting extravaganza.
Robinson’s passion for the Olympics is evident in her meticulous planning and financial sacrifices. She worked two jobs for eight years, selling rice grain necklaces by day and bagging groceries by night, to save up $10,000 for her Olympic adventure.
In Paris, Robinson has tickets to over three dozen sporting events and the opening ceremony, for which she paid a premium of $1,600. While the opening ceremony was a disappointment due to heavy rain and limited visibility, Robinson remains undeterred.
Robinson’s enthusiasm extends beyond the stadiums. She can be found on the Champs Elysees, decked out in an Olympics-themed tracksuit, greeting volunteers and tourists. Her viral TikTok videos have made her recognizable, and she relishes the opportunity to connect with people from around the world.
“You actually meet more people when you’re dressed like this,” Robinson told Reuters. “I get to meet the world this way.”
Robinson’s Olympic journey has taken her to Los Angeles, Atlanta, Sydney, Athens, London, and Rio de Janeiro. She is determined to make the most of her Paris experience, despite the hefty credit card bill that awaits her upon her return.
“You just can’t be in a better place in the world, just to be surrounded by athletes and tourists and monuments and just the fun of the Games,” she said.
