Exchanging Uniforms, Sharing Friendships at Samsung Athletes Meet

Many athletes participated in the Uniform Exchange Event. “You Light Me Up” is Samsung’s campaign slogan during Universiade Gwangju 2015.

The Samsung Athletes Meet was abuzz with the sounds of new friendships on July 7 and 12, as athletes from around the world gathered for special uniform exchange events during the Universiade Gwangju 2015 in Korea.

All week, Universiade competitors have left messages of encouragement for friends and rivals. This event brought athletes together for some fun and excitement in a carnival-like atmosphere. Swimmers Zhang Sishi of China and Pholien Systermans of Belgium were among those who exchanged uniforms on July 12.

Zhang, a gold medalist in the women’s 200m individual medley, said, “I am very pleased to spend time with the athletes.” Zhang said to Systermans, “I was happy to meet you and I will always cheer you.”

Zhang Sishi (left) of China and Pholien Systermans (right) of Belgium exchange uniforms on July 12.

Australian fencer Amy Reynolds made a new friend in American diver Olivia Rosendahl. “A lot of happy faces and thumbs up for the campaign,” said Reynolds, who also wished her new friend good luck before her competition began. “We met at the Samsung Athletes Meet a few days ago,” said Rosendahl. “It’s easy to make new friends here.”

In all, more than 170 athletes participated in the exchange over the two days, many of whom cheered and exchanged uniforms outside as they waited in line to get in.

Malena Coschiza, a swimmer from Argentina competing in the breaststroke, kept it simple with her new friend from Venezuela, freestyle swimmer Jose Gil Infante: “Exito suerta!” she yelled in Spanish. Good luck, indeed!

During the Universiade, Samsung has introduced the “You Light Me Up” campaign to encourage participants to cheer on fellow competitors in the name of friendship and sportsmanship. This campaign aims to foster an atmosphere of partnership in place of rivalry. About 3,800 athletes (more than 30% of all athletes competing in Gwangju) have shared encouraging messages to cheer on their fellow competitors through an app on Samsung devices at the “Samsung Athletes Meet” exclusive lounge under the name of You Light Me Up Campaign as of July 12.

This year’s Universiade includes athletes and officials from 170 countries and wraps up on July 14.

Read more: Samsung Sponsors Universiade Gwangju 2015