My journey into the world of Olympic memorabilia collecting started 40 years ago when I was able to attend the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. As a college student at the time, it was a very budget-friendly, cross-country trip that took me to LA and gave me a first-hand look at the Olympic Games. I came home with a few souvenirs and my Olympic collection was born.

 

In 1996 I was fortunate to be able to volunteer at the Olympic Stadium as a Press Steward during the Atlanta Games. I was in attendance at the Opening Ceremonies and saw the memorable lighting of the cauldron by Mohammed Ali. I then worked during the track and field events and, among other things, was able to attend the press conference after Carl Lewis won his fourth straight gold medal in the long jump.

 

Recently, my wife and I attended the 2024 Olympics in Paris, my first opportunity to experience the Games outside of the United States.

 

What started with a few commemorative coins has now turned into a collection focused on four areas: 1. Entry tickets, primarily from track and field (athletics) events; 2. Opening Ceremonies programs and other daily programs; 3. Commemorative coins from host countries; and 4. Issues of Sports Illustrated. Three of the four categories have to do with paper and printed items, probably due to the fact that my father owned and operated a commercial printing business and published a small newspaper for over 50 years.

 

This is not a flashy collection of winners’ medals, torches, and other high-priced memorabilia (although I wouldn’t mind having some of those items). I have never had the resources to spend large chunks of money on pricey memorabilia, so I have tried to be patient and strategic with my purchases and the areas of my focus. Although not a massive collection by most standards, this is a collection that visually and with the written word, tells much of the history of the Modern Olympic Games. From a ticket to track and field (athletics) events from the 1924 Paris Olympics (think “Chariots of Fire), to a program from the Opening Ceremonies at the 1936 Berlin Olympics (Adolf Hitler), to every Sports Illustrated surrounding the Summer Olympic Games since the magazine started in 1954, to the first commemorative Olympic coin minted for the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, to a personally autographed photo of Bob Beamon and his iconic long jump at the 1968 Mexico City Games… this collection as a little bit of everything.

 

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