Passion Costs: The Odyssey of an Olympics Superfan

Vivianne Robinson, a 66-year-old from Los Angeles, has been an Olympics superfan for 40 years. Despite financial hardships, she attended the Paris Summer Games by maxing out her credit cards and working two jobs. Robinson's passion began in 1984 and continues as she plans for future Olympics.

Covered with pins and adornments, Vivianne Robinson stands out on the streets of Paris.

The 66-year-old Olympics superfan from Los Angeles has attended seven Summer Games over 40 years, despite the financial strain it has caused. This trip to Paris came at a hefty price. Robinson maxed out her credit cards and worked two jobs to afford her adventure and the 38 event tickets she purchased. By day, she customized rice necklaces on Venice Beach; by night, she bagged groceries.

Robinson shares that she needs to work for another two years to make up for the money spent fulfilling her passion. Despite the hard savings and big budget, she considers it worth every penny. She expressed disappointment at having paid $1,600 for the opening ceremony, only to end up watching it on a screen from a bridge. A passerby suggested using her fame to crowdsource funds, but Robinson remains determined to earn the money herself.

Her Olympic journey began in 1984 when her mother, a translator for athletes at UCLA during the city's Olympics, brought home pins from athletes. This sparked Robinson's pin-collecting hobby, taking her to Atlanta, Sydney, Athens, London, and Rio. Although she couldn't afford some trips, her passion never waned. She spent a year crafting her Paris outfit, adorned with hundreds of decorations, which often draws public attention. As this Olympic adventure ends, Robinson is already gearing up for the next one, committed to saving money and perfecting her outfits, no matter the cost.