Sam the Eagle soccer pin

Sam The Olympic Eagle pin created for the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games. This collector pin represents Sam the Eagle, the mascot of the 1984 Summer Olympic games which were held in Los Angeles, California from July 28 to August 12, 1984. Sam the Eagle was designed by Bob Moore, an artist for Walt Disney.

From its beginnings as Camp Shriver in Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s backyard, to the first international games in 1968, Special Olympics has been about giving people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to participate in sport. This participation confidence, provides emotional support and offers social opportunities for the athletes and their families. With state chapters and a global presence through its World Games, “Special Olympics is the largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities with 5 million athletes in 170 countries worldwide.”

Olympic pin collecting began as early as 1900 and gained momentum at the 1936 Games. Through the 1960s pin trading was on the upswing but really took off at the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Games with sponsor's becoming more prevalent. Coca-Cola set up a pin trading area at the Calgary Games which gave a boost to the hobby which is still a big part of the Olympic experience.

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