Daria Saville’s Olympic Pin Collection: A Global Souvenir Showcase
At the recently concluded Paris Olympics, Australian tennis star Daria Saville emerged as a formidable contender in the unofficial sport of pin collecting. Despite her early exit in the women’s doubles competition, Saville’s off-court adventures captivated tennis enthusiasts worldwide.
Through engaging social media updates, Saville provided a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the Olympic Village, sharing insights into athletes’ accommodations, meals, and logistics. However, her most anticipated video showcased her impressive haul of enamel pins, a cherished collector’s item distributed by National Olympic Committees, sponsors, and other entities.
Saville’s collection boasted nearly four dozen pins from countries near and far. Among the highlights were:
* Botswana: A muscular zebra in a track singlet, adorned in Botswana’s national blue.
* Brazil: A smiling jaguar holding a Brazilian flag.
* Chinese Taipei: A bubble tea and Eiffel Tower, with hearts in the French flag colors.
* China: A panda in traditional Chinese attire, holding a scroll and lantern.
* Colombia: A golden coffee cup with the Colombian flag on the “steam.”
* Hong Kong: A white lion with a geometric orange mane.
* Mexico: The Eiffel Tower topped with a sombrero and mustache.
* Puerto Rico: A barrio with the Puerto Rican flag and national flower.
* Tanzania: A giraffe.
* Seychelles: A giant gold turtle.
Saville’s personal favorites included Botswana and Colombia, while she praised the Philippines for its friendly people. However, she expressed disappointment that Italy and Switzerland missed the opportunity to feature pizza and chocolate in their designs.
Saville’s pin collection serves as a testament to the global spirit of the Olympics, showcasing the diversity and creativity of participating nations. It also highlights the camaraderie and exchange that occurs among athletes from different backgrounds, united by the pursuit of sporting excellence.
