Pin collectors rush in for Games gala

About 100 sweating Olympic pin collectors braved temperatures higher than 35 C to trade their stockpiles with fellow hobbyists at the opening of the Coca-Cola Olympic venue yesterday.

Pin collecting has gained international recognition as an "unofficial Olympic sport", and the event attracted traders and spectators from every corner of China and the globe.

"It's a Sunday, and the Games hasn't even started yet. It'll only get better and better," American Bud Kling, the center's head pin coordinator and zealous pin-collecting enthusiast, said.