Arlington Olympics Super Fan Attends 14th Games

Ron Isbell has been to 14 Olympic Games, starting with a lucky trip to the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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For Arlington, Texas resident Ron Isbell, attending the Olympic Games is a lifelong passion, not just a bucket-list dream. Isbell is currently in Milan-Cortina, Italy for his 14th Olympic Games, having first attended the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics after winning a radio station contest. Since then, he has traveled the globe to attend nearly every Summer and Winter Olympics, amassing an impressive collection of Olympic memorabilia like torches, pins, and official athlete uniforms.

Why it matters

Isbell's dedication to the Olympic Games over the past 34 years is a testament to the power of sports to inspire and unite people from around the world. His story highlights how the Olympics can create lasting memories and a sense of global community for devoted fans.

The details

Isbell's Olympic journey began in 1988 when he won a radio contest to attend the Calgary Winter Olympics. That single trip sparked a lifelong obsession, and Isbell has since traveled to 14 Olympic Games, from the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games to the upcoming 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Along the way, he has collected an impressive array of Olympic memorabilia, including official athlete uniforms, torch replicas, event tickets, and thousands of pins. One of his most cherished keepsakes is a torch he carried as a runner in the Salt Lake City Olympics relay.

  • Isbell first attended the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics after winning a radio contest.
  • He has attended nearly every Summer and Winter Olympics since 1996.

The players

Ron Isbell

A resident of Arlington, Texas who has attended 14 Olympic Games since 1988, amassing an impressive collection of Olympic memorabilia.

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What they’re saying

“It's just so much fun seeing so many events in person and meeting people from other countries.”

— Ron Isbell (nbcdfw.com)

“I definitely just want to keep trying to go to all of them as long as I can.”

— Ron Isbell (nbcdfw.com)

What’s next

Isbell plans to continue attending the Olympic Games as long as he is able, with the goal of experiencing every Summer and Winter Olympics.

The takeaway

Ron Isbell's lifelong dedication to the Olympic Games demonstrates the power of sports to inspire passion and a sense of global community in devoted fans. His story highlights how the Olympics can create lasting memories and a love of the international sporting event that transcends a single generation.