Originated in Europe, badges were firstly used in armed forces as some symbols, such as cockade, epaulette, etc.. In Napoleon’s time, badges had been widely used in the army. While in China, badges were earliest used in Beiyang Navy of Qing Dynasty. With the same long history of Olympic Games, sports badges first appeared in Athens 1896 Olympic Games, and athletes began to exchange Olympic badges with each other from Stockholm 1912 Olympic Games. In Seoul 1988 Olympic Games, the badges produced by various countries were as many as 180 million. And during Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games, the volume of business was as much as millions of US dollars every day in the Badge Trade Center. What’s more, Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games specially made over 1,500 kinds of commemorative badges, and sold out 1,500 badges in total, which financed tens of millions of US dollars for the Olympics Games. Moreover, the commemorative badges issued by Sydney 2000 Olympic Games was as many as 3,000.

As the significant carrier of Olympic culture and spirit, Olympic badges are loved and cared about by more and more people. With the development of modern technology, Olympic badge is made more exquisitely that its content becomes much richer, and the craft design level is much improved. Compared with Olympic medals and torches, Olympic badges with a larger number possess diversity that carry richer content and more various styles, which can display the Olympics and its host city from different angles. Today, Olympic badge has become an indispensable part of Olympic Movement.

The first Innsbruck Winter Youth Olympic Games and the 30th London Summer Olympic Games are approaching. To welcome the great Olympic events in 2012, XOM holds the special Exhibition of Olympic Badges. There are hundreds of badges belonging to tens of categories displayed in this exhibition. These badges present various sides of the previous Olympic Games in every period, which help visitors learn Olympics from different angles. This special exhibition provides a precious chance for Olympic fans and those who are interested in collecting Olympic badges. Welcome all of you to visit XOM!

Time: September 10 – October 31, 2011

Place: the Temporary Exhibition Hall of Xiamen Olympic Museum