As the curtain falls on the exhilarating Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, a new, equally competitive arena has emerged: the bustling online marketplace for exclusive Olympic memorabilia. While athletes chased gold, a different kind of gold rush has begun, with collectors and opportunistic resellers vying for a piece of Olympic history. The scarcity of these coveted items post-Games is driving prices skyward, transforming humble souvenirs into valuable commodities on platforms like eBay and Vinted.
The Scramble for Scarce Keepsakes
The moment the Olympic flame is extinguished, the hunt for unique event collectibles intensifies. What was once readily available at official merchandise stands quickly becomes a rare find, snapped up by savvy bargain hunters and scalpers. The current online listings offer a clear indication of the burgeoning value, with many items already commanding prices far exceeding their original retail tags.
Mascots and Timepieces: The Unexpected Stars
Among the vast array of Milano Cortina Olympics memorabilia flooding the internet, a few items have truly captured the imagination – and wallets – of enthusiasts. The adorable plushies of mascots Milo and Tina, alongside the exclusive Swatch watches distributed solely to volunteers, are leading the charge in this resale phenomenon.
Originally, the charming Milo and Tina stuffed animals were priced between €15 and €50 (approximately $18 to $60), depending on their size. Today, the smallest stoat plushies are fetching up to three times their initial cost, while their larger counterparts can command quadruple the original price. While some may still be available at original prices on the official Olympics shop, buyers face a potential drawback: delivery times that could extend until June, a wait many eager collectors are unwilling to endure.
Even more exclusive are the Swatch watches, never made available for public sale and reserved solely for the dedicated Olympic volunteers. Pristine, never-worn examples, still in their original packaging, are now appearing online with price tags ranging from a staggering €200 to €500 ($235 to $590), highlighting the premium placed on their unique provenance.
Pins, Phones, and Podium Replicas: A Diverse Market
The memorabilia market extends far beyond mascots and watches, encompassing a diverse range of items that reflect the breadth of the Olympic experience.
- Collectible Pins: Olympic souvenir pins, starting around €15 on the official online shop, are being resold for double that amount. Limited-edition pins from major sponsors like Samsung are fetching approximately €100 ($118). Notably, WIRED Italia reported seeing highly sought-after pins given to Olympic torchbearers listed online for an astonishing €600 ($707).
- Athlete-Exclusive Tech:
Even high-tech gadgets are not immune to the resale frenzy. At least one Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 smartphone, typically gifted exclusively to athletes, has surfaced on eBay with a “Buy It Now” price of $1,680, underscoring the value of items with direct ties to participants.
- Medal Replicas: For those who dream of Olympic glory, replica medals are also available, with single medals starting around €50 and complete sets commanding €150 to €200 ($177 to $236).
As the dust settles on the sporting events, the secondary market for Milano Cortina 2026 memorabilia continues to heat up. This vibrant online ecosystem underscores the enduring allure of the Olympic Games, transforming temporary keepsakes into lasting, and often lucrative, pieces of history.
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