CCVa member Designs US Olympic Pin

2014 USA Olympic Winter Games pin

Congratulations to our very own Kirsten Collins for designing the 2014 Olympic Winter Games Pin! Her design was one of many submitted during a design competition held this summer by the US Curling Association.

Kirsten’s design for the limited-edition commemorative USA curling pin was inspired by the magnolia blooms from the Glade of Friendship, found in Sochi’s Riviera Park. The friendship flower design represents the “spirit of curling” found in good sportsmanship, kindly feeling, and honorable conduct, that our athletes bring to the game, and ties strongly to Olympism as defined by its core values of excellence, respect, and friendship.

But Kirsten is no stranger to curling pin design. In 2010, she and her husband designed the winning Olympic Games curling pin and the First Event pin for the GNCC Arena Club Championships in 2011, as well as other award and team pins over the years.

Decorative pins and pin collecting have a long history with both the Olympics and curling. Some have said the Olympic tradition dates back to 1896, when the pins were actually made of cardboard (read about the evolution of Olympic pins at London Pins). For more information about Olympic pin collecting, read the detailed Guide to Pin Collecting online at Olympin pin collector club website. And for information about curling pins, the history and other curling lore, stop by the Canada’s Library and Archive site.

Adapted from the US Curling News