Samsung Electronics, Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Wireless Communications Equipment and Computing Equipment category, is bringing cutting-edge mobile technology and Olympic inspiration to the Winter Youth Olympic Games Lausanne 2020. In addition to its Olympic Showcase, Samsung is connecting the future generation of Olympic athletes with current Olympian Dina Asher-Smith to defy barriers to achieve meaningful progress and push beyond all limits with an inspirational panel session.

“Samsung has supported the Olympic Movement for over 30 years, and we are proud to continue our legacy by empowering this generation of athletes to ‘Do What You Can’t’ spirit at the Youth Olympic Games Lausanne 2020,” said Stephanie Choi, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Marketing Team of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. “From Lausanne to Tokyo, this Olympic year holds many exciting opportunities for Samsung to showcase innovation and change the way participants experience the Games through mobile products and services with 5G connectivity.”

Throughout the Youth Olympic Games, visitors will be able to immerse themselves in Samsung’s groundbreaking technology at the Samsung Olympic Games Showcase located in the Yodli Park. Visitors will be able to experience:

• 5G Galaxy Smartphones: Samsung’s Olympic Games Showcase invites visitors to experience the most recent editions of Samsung’s 5G smartphones, including the Galaxy S10, Galaxy Note10, Galaxy Fold and Galaxy A90.
• Creative Experiences: Visitors will be also able to interact with the creative capabilities of Samsung mobile technology, such as Galaxy smartphone cameras, S Pen and VR.
• Olympic Games Pins: Visitors will have the opportunity to receive special Samsung Olympic Games pins that embody the value of the Youth Olympic Games.

To further empower connection and inspire the next generation of Olympic athletes, Samsung will also host a special panel discussion as a part of the ’Chat with Champions’ series, co-hosted with the International Olympic Committee. Athletes competing in the Youth Olympic Games are invited to learn more on building their personal brand, and to hear inspirational stories that will keep them motivated as their careers develop – on and off the field of play. Panelists will include:

• Stephanie Choi, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Marketing Team, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung, who will provide insights about Samsung brand and her career journey as an industry leader and innovator;
• Dina Asher-Smith, World Champion sprinter, Team GB Olympic Medalist, and one of Team Galaxy athletes, who will share her story of defying barriers to become the fastest British woman in recorded history;
• Janosch Nietlispach, Six-time Kickboxing World Champion turned social media influencer, who will talk about how he became an athlete influencer, interacting with fans on social platforms;
• Zac Farrer, Global Partnership EMEA, Facebook, who will share tips on how athletes can grow their personal brand and expand their communities on social media.

Participating athletes are invited to visit the special ‘Chat with Champions’ session at the Yodli Café at 8pm on Jan 12th to meet other athletes and share encouraging messages to support one another.

“Samsung has been an integral part of elevating the Olympic Games’ fan experience through their innovative technology and powering lifelong memories for athletes and fans alike,” said Timo Lumme, Managing Director of the IOC Television and Marketing Services. “As we celebrate what the future of the Olympic Games will look like for future generations in Lausanne 2020, it’s only natural that Samsung is helping make that connection.”

As a longstanding Olympic partner, Samsung will continue its support for athletes defying barriers beyond the Youth Olympic Games Lausanne 2020 to the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.

Fans and volunteers experience the Galaxy Fold, Note10+ 5G, and A90 5G smartphone devices at the Samsung Olympic Showcase in Yodli Park during the Youth Olympic Winter Games Lausanne 2020.

Fans and volunteers experience the Galaxy Fold, Note10+ 5G, and A90 5G smartphone devices at the Samsung Olympic Showcase in Yodli Park during the Youth Olympic Winter Games Lausanne 2020.

Fans and volunteers experience the Galaxy Fold, Note10+ 5G, and A90 5G smartphone devices at the Samsung Olympic Showcase in Yodli Park during the Youth Olympic Winter Games Lausanne 2020.

Samsung Olympic Showcase, the unique dome-shaped venue put Samsung’s latest technology on display, in addition to providing various experiences during the Youth Olympic Winter Games Lausanne 2020.

About Samsung’s Involvement in the Olympic Games

Samsung has been a Worldwide Olympic Partner since the Olympic Winter Games Nagano 1998. For over 20 years, the company’s industry-leading wireless communications equipment has enabled fans and athletes around the world to stay connected and share in the journey to achieve greatness of sportsmanship. For Tokyo 2020, Samsung will help spread the spirit of the Olympic Games through proprietary innovations that are shaping the digital future of the Olympic Games. Samsung’s commitment to the Olympic Movement will continue through to Los Angeles 2028 in the wireless communications equipment and computing equipment category, including the activation of the Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and 5G features of that equipment.

The announcement was made in Seoul, Republic of Korea, at a signing ceremony with IOC President Thomas Bach and Jay Y. Lee, Vice Chairman at Samsung Electronics; IOC Marketing Commission Chair Tsunekazu Takeda; Dong Jin Koh, President and CEO of the IT&Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics; and Younghee Lee, CMO and Executive Vice President, Samsung Electronics.

Samsung will continue as the Worldwide Olympic Partner in the wireless communications equipment and computing equipment category, including the ability to promote the Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and 5G features of that equipment. As part of the agreement, the IOC and Samsung will further develop their strategic digital collaboration to engage young generations around the world in order to promote the power of sport and the values of Olympism.

IOC President Thomas Bach said: “I am delighted that we will be building on two decades of partnership with Samsung for another 10 years. Over this time, we have built a partnership combining Olympic excellence and Samsung’s industry-leading wireless communications technology. Together, we are able to connect with and inspire Olympic athletes and fans around the world, and we look forward to working with Samsung to build the digital future of the Olympic Games.”

Tsunekazu Takeda, IOC Marketing Commission Chair, Thomas Bach, IOC President, Jay Y. Lee, Vice Chairman at Samsung Electronics, and Dong Jin Koh, President and CEO of IT&Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics, pose for a photo after a signing ceremony to extend their global partnership through to the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 (from right)

Dong Jin Koh, President and CEO of the IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics, said: “As a Worldwide Olympic Partner for the last 22 years, Samsung has been inspired by the spirit of hope, friendship and unity. Through our innovative wireless and computing equipment which are able to support AI, VR, AR and 5G technology, we hope to spread the excitement of the Games so that fans and athletes around the world can stay connected and share in the journey to achieve greatness at the highest level of sportsmanship.”

IOC Marketing Commission Chair Tsunekazu Takeda said: “Samsung is a global success story and a brand recognized around the world. Samsung understands and promotes the Olympic values through technology and marketing campaigns that help break down barriers and engage new audiences. From a commercial perspective, our extension with Samsung to 2028 builds on the long-term agreements reached recently with existing and new Partners, and demonstrates the long-term strength and appeal of our marketing programs.”

Samsung will continue its support beyond the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, and will support every edition of the Olympic Games through to Los Angeles 2028, as well as all the Youth Olympic Games through to 2028. Samsung will also continue to support the IOC, the National Olympic Committees and their teams. Samsung’s first Games as a Worldwide TOP Partner were the Olympic Winter Games Nagano 1998. Samsung will also continue as a Worldwide Partner of the International Paralympic Committee, extending a relationship that began in 2006.

In collaboration with the IOC and the Organizing Committees, Samsung plans to continue its Athlete Phone Program. This program provides Limited Olympic Edition Galaxy phones to all participating Olympic and Paralympic athletes to enhance the athletes’ Games-time experience, help them stay in touch with their family and friends, and capture and share their journeys.

Throughout the Olympic Winter Games, a total of nine Samsung Olympic Showcases, featuring a mix of cultural, technological and immersive fan experiences, will be in PyeongChang and Gangneung, including Olympic Parks and the Olympic Villages, the Main Press Center, and four at the Incheon International Airport. Samsung Olympic Showcases @ PyeongChang Olympic Plaza and @ Gangneung Olympic Park opening on February 9^th will provide visitors with engaging experiences incorporating Samsung’s legacy of breakthrough innovation and interactive activities powered by Samsung technology.

Athletes and fans will first experience the Samsung brand history and heritage in engineering, design, and craftsmanship, and then the partnership history with the Olympic Games. Then through interactive experiences, visitors will be able to feel the exhilaration and escape into real-world thrills in winter sports through VR including snowboarding and skeleton, as well as participate in alpine and cross-country skiing contests that will challenge fans’ fitness capacity. For the first time, visitors will be able to experience the ‘Mission to Space VR: A Moon for All Mankind’ created by Samsung. Visitors will experience a full space mission including mission briefing, trying on the training suits and helmets, and the truly immersive experience in the Moon rig where they will feel lunar gravity with every step.

“For two decades as a Worldwide Olympic Partner, Samsung has connected fans, visitors and athletes from around the world with our latest technological innovations, which have now evolved to also include immersive experiences,” said Younghee Lee, CMO and Executive Vice President, Samsung Electronics. “We’re delighted to share Samsung’s latest mobile technologies and products so fans and athletes can enjoy new, unique experiences while at the Olympic Winter Games.”

“Over the course of our longstanding partnership, Samsung has brought new experiences and technology advancements to each Olympic Games,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. “Samsung helps to make each and every one an exciting and meaningful experience for all.”

Visitors will experience and engage with Samsung’s products and Galaxy brand through a variety of activities through a comfortable, interactive environment, including:

• Immersive VR Experiences: Unique VR experiences powered by the Galaxy Note8 will allow fans to escape into exhilarating moments on the fresh mountain slopes in snowboarding and skeleton as well as escape to space in Mission to Space VR: A Moon for All Mankind’ – available to consumers to experience for the first time. Other experiences include simulated skiing adventures.

• Playful Experiences: Promoting the playful side of technology, Portrait Pool allows visitors to turn their “selfies” into painted characters for social sharing, S Pen Gallery to create own portraits with Galaxy Note8 and S pen as a paint brush, Infinity Moment to create user generated content with the Galaxy Note8.

• Kids Lounge: A dedicated kids lounge in a hands-on zone, where kids can play, learn and explore Samsung products and expand their creativity through hands-on experience.

• Smart Home (IoT): Multi Device and futuristic demos powered by mobile technology that showcase the IoT, helping visitors to imagine the future lifestyle.

• Unbox Samsung: The journey of ‘Unbox Samsung’ where visitors can experience the Living History of Samsung since 1988 when the first mobile phone was launched.

• Purchase and Customer Service: Visitors will also be able receive customer service and make purchases of the mobile products and its accessories.

• Interact & Relax: Within lounges and in the Cultural Community where various lifestyle programs will take place as well as in the Café where food and beverages will be available for purchase using Buddy Points acquired during the interactive experiences.

• Special Events: A series of events will take place at the Samsung Olympic Showcase to enhance the Olympic Winter Games experience including athlete visits and celebrating holiday moments.

In celebration of the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Wireless Communications Equipment and Computing Equipment category, today announced that the Official App of PyeongChang 2018 is available for download.

Samsung is once again powering the custom mobile application, as an effort to further enhance the Olympic Winter Games experience for all, ensuring smarter communications and smoother wireless operations during the Olympic Games. The Official App of PyeongChang 2018 was created in partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the PyeongChang Organizing Committee for the 2018 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games (POCOG). The all-in-one app will help fans better enjoy the Olympic Winter Games experience by offering real-time updates, athlete information, medal standings and Olympic and Paralympic records.

Evolving from the Wireless Olympic Works service which began in 2004, the Official App of PyeongChang 2018 offers differentiated content based on location, news updates, ticket and venue information as well as online cheering service to support athletes.

“As part of our commitment to creating an enjoyable Olympic Winter Games experience for athletes, fans, and consumers, we’re proud to create connections, and to help share the Olympic Spirit around the world,” said Younghee Lee, CMO and Executive Vice President, Samsung Electronics. “Through our innovative technology advancements, our goal is to contribute to a meaningful and unforgettable experience for all.”

In addition to providing the latest updates that users need to know about the Olympic Winter Games, the Official App of PyeongChang 2018 is also customizable, allowing users to stay up-to-date on specific events and results they care about the most, and to receive push-notification alerts based on their favorite countries, sports or athletes.

The Official App of PyeongChang 2018 is available in English, Korean, French, Japanese and Chinese, and can be downloaded for free on Google Apps, Google Play Store, and iOS App Store.

About Samsung’s Involvement in the Olympic Games

Samsung began its Olympic Games involvement as a local sponsor of Olympic Games Seoul 1988. Beginning with Olympic Winter Games Nagano 1998, the company extended its commitment to the Olympic Movement as the Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Wireless Communications Equipment category, providing its proprietary wireless communications platform and mobile devices. These innovative mobile technologies provide the Olympic Community, athletes and fans around the world with interactive communications and information services, and Samsung Pay. Samsung hosts various Olympic campaigns to share the excitement of the Olympic Games with people around the world and enable everyone to participate in the Games through its innovative mobile technology. Samsung’s commitment as a Worldwide Olympic Partner continues through PyeongChang 2018, and Tokyo 2020 in the Wireless Communications Equipment and Computing Equipment category.

With less than a month to-go until the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, Samsung Electronics, Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Wireless Communications Equipment and Computing Equipment category, today unveiled the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Games Limited Edition. To further extend its Olympic legacy of supporting athletes and the Olympic family, Samsung will provide the exclusive devices, which are a special edition of the Galaxy Note8, as encouragement to do bigger things at the Olympic Winter Games, while also helping maintain real-time connections and capturing and sharing memories with those near and far.

In collaboration with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the PyeongChang Organizing Committee for the 2018 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games (POCOG), Samsung will deliver over 4,000 devices to all Olympians as well as the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic family allowing them to lean on Samsung mobile technology to enhance their experiences and connect more conveniently. The PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Games Limited Edition will include the bold new features of the Galaxy Note8, such as the innovative bezel-less 6.3-inch Infinity Display that fits comfortably in one hand, enhanced S Pen for efficient productivity, and Samsung’s best-in-class Dual Camera. Exclusively for the Games, the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Games Limited Edition will showcase a shiny white back glass to celebrate the winter theme, and gold Olympic rings – inspired by the Olympic Torch – an expression of the Olympic Movement with the union of five continents, and unity worldwide.

“Throughout our 20-year legacy as an Olympic partner, Samsung has showcased our support of the Olympic Movement by helping spread the Olympic Spirit and enhance connections through our latest technological innovations and immersive experiences,” said Younghee Lee, CMO and Executive Vice President, Samsung Electronics. “We’re proud to provide the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Games Limited Edition to all athletes in an effort to help them to stay connected, capture and share one of the most memorable moments of their lives.”

The PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Games Limited Edition will feature celebratory pre-loaded PyeongChang 2018 themed wallpapers, allowing recipients to stay connected in-style through Samsung’s most advanced mobile technology. As an added element, useful apps will be pre-installed to help cultivate the utmost Olympic Games experience.

“Samsung’s commitment to the Olympic Movement has increasingly enabled meaningful connections through innovative mobile technologies over the past 20 years,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. “Samsung’s creation of an Olympic Games Limited Edition device reinforces Samsung and IOC’s shared desire to spread the Olympic spirit. It’s because of dedicated partners like Samsung that we’re in the position to provide unforgettable experiences at the Olympic Games time after time.”

Samsung to Provide Galaxy Note8 to Paralympians

Displaying commitment to the Paralympic Movement, Samsung will provide smartphones to all Paralympians at the Paralympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018. Each Paralympian will receive the Galaxy Note8 along with cases that feature the Paralympic Games logo and be exposed to how breakthrough mobile technologies can help make the digital world more accessible for those with disabilities. Samsung has been a World Paralympic Partner since the Olympic Winter Games Vancouver 2010 and an advocate for the Paralympic Movement striving to inspire the spirit of progress and the human challenge ever since.

About Samsung’s Involvement in the Olympic Games

Samsung began its Olympic Games involvement as a local sponsor of Olympic Games Seoul 1988. Beginning with Olympic Winter Games Nagano 1998, the company extended its commitment to the Olympic Movement as the Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Wireless Communications Equipment category, providing its proprietary wireless communications platform and mobile devices. These innovative mobile technologies provide the Olympic Community, athletes and fans around the world with interactive communications and information services, and Samsung Pay. Samsung hosts various Olympic campaigns to share the excitement of the Olympic Games with people around the world and enable everyone to participate in the Games through its innovative mobile technology. Samsung’s commitment as a Worldwide Olympic Partner continues through PyeongChang 2018, and Tokyo 2020 in the Wireless Communications Equipment and Computing Equipment category.

Samsung Electronics, Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Wireless Communications Equipment category, saw connectivity and digital interactions taken to the next level for athletes and fans during Rio 2016 Olympic Games. With Samsung Galaxy Studios spread throughout the Olympic Games footprint and beyond in Brazil, athletes and fans were able to demo the most advanced mobile technologies and stay connected with friends and family back home. Samsung today announced numerous metrics that proved Rio 2016 was one of the most connected Olympic Games in history.

Standing out was Samsung’s #DoWhatYouCant campaign, which achieved more than 1.6 billion social impressions and engaged almost 121 million fans. Based on the philosophy that the Olympic Games has never only been about sports, #DoWhatYouCant celebrates those who defy barriers to do the extraordinary, inside and outside of sports. Through its heralded documentary “A Fighting Chance,” along with advertisements and content like “The Chant” and “The Anthem,” the campaign tells the stories of those who push the limits to overcome obstacles, helping fans across the globe connect with what it means to “Do What You Can’t.”

Samsung reached many other milestones at Rio 2016, helping the brand achieve top marks. By the numbers, Samsung’s milestones included:

• 8,447 calls made from Samsung Galaxy Studio in Olympic Village via Samsung’s free call service for athletes; 42,236 minutes
• 6,035,434 downloads of official “Rio 2016 App”, developed by Samsung in collaboration with the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee
• 58,783 mentions of Samsung’s Rio 2016 #DoWhatYouCant
• 125,359,837 total campaign engagements
• 1,647,594,349 impressions via #DoWhatYouCant
• 330,350 fans who enjoyed VR experience through Samsung Galaxy smartphones at the Galaxy Studios throughout Brazil
• 1,040,860 visitors to 13 Olympic Games-themed Samsung Galaxy Studios throughout Brazil

Samsung’s free call service at its Galaxy Studio in the Olympic Village proved to be a hit for athletes, helping them connect with their families back home as they prepared for competition. VR experiences were also immensely popular for both athletes and fans – with many of Samsung’s 13 Olympic Games-themed Galaxy Studios throughout Brazil offering SporTV’s VR livestream of events for thousands of fans.

To help make this Olympic Games more connected than ever, Samsung – in collaboration with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) – presented 12,500 Galaxy S7 edge Olympic Games Limited Edition mobile phones to athletes competing in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The commemorative smartphones were meant to help Olympians enhance their experiences in Rio and communicate with friends and family around the world more conveniently.

And with the help of the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee, Samsung also developed the official application of Rio 2016, “The Rio 2016 App,” that provides athletes, fans and consumers 24/7 updates on all of the latest Olympic Games news. And to have a home base for all of the digital interactions at the Olympic Games, Samsung last week opened its main Samsung Galaxy Studio Olympic Park right in the heart of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, where fans and consumers can demo Samsung’s latest wireless communications products and immersive technologies.

“As a continuous contribution to the Olympic Games, Samsung creates immersive programs that unite the world through our mobile technology helping fans across the globe have access and enjoy,” said Younghee Lee, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics. “Rio 2016 has proven to be a digitally connected Olympic Games. We are delighted to see the great connections of the athletes and fans, which we look forward to continuing into the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games.”

For more information about Samsung’s involvement in the Olympic Games, please visit www.samsungmobilepress.com/Olympics/

Among the visitors include Tsepo Mathibelle, a marathon runner from Lesotho; US track and field athlete Brenda Martinez; and Irish gymnast Kieran Behan.

The athletes not only got a chance to greet their fans, but also had the opportunity to try out numerous virtual reality experiences with Samsung’s Gear VR and get hands on with the Galaxy S7 edge Olympic Games Limited Edition.

Like Samsung, these athletes in particular have overcome barriers to achieve greatness and to realize their own personal dreams and goals.

Check out the photos below to see the highlights of their visit.

Lesotho marathon runner Tsepo Mathibelle takes a selfie with his Samsung Galaxy S7 edge Olympic Games Limited Edition at the Samsung Galaxy Studio in Olympic Village in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In collaboration with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Samsung presented 12,500 Galaxy S7 edge Olympic Games Limited Edition smartphones to athletes competing in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Inside the Social Galaxy room, Irish gymnast Kieran Behan watches his past Instagram moments come to life in 360 degrees. “The technology here in the Samsung Galaxy Studio is absolutely amazing,” said Behan, the second Irish gymnast to qualify for the Olympic Games.

“I’m most excited about my Galaxy S7 edge Olympic Games Limited Edition—it’s such a cool commemorative phone from Samsung,” US track and field athlete Brenda Martinez stated during her visit to the Samsung Galaxy Studio in Olympic Village.

Tsepo Mathibelle is all smiles as he experiences simulated Olympic kayaking through 4D motion virtual reality via Samsung’s Gear VR and Galaxy smartphone. Mathibelle overcame numerous barriers on his way to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. His story was told in the recent documentary short “A Fighting Chance.”

Inside the Social Galaxy room at the Samsung Galaxy Studio in Olympic Park, Brenda Martinez watches her Instagram moments come alive all around her.

Kieran Behan, who defied numerous barriers on his journey to the Olympic Games—including a tumor in his leg at age 10 and a brain injury from a gymnastics fall shortly after—receives a gift of Samsung-themed Rio 2016 Olympic Games pins at the Samsung Galaxy Studio.

Brenda Martinez experiences the high-speed thrill of a roller coaster through a 4D virtual reality film at the Samsung Galaxy Studio during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Martinez overcame a setback in the 800 meters at the US track and field team trials by qualifying for Rio 2016 just days later in the 1,500 meters.

Inside the Social Galaxy Room, Tsepo Mathibelle sees Instagram moments come to life in 360 degrees. He noted, “I feel a connection to Samsung, as the company is all about defying barriers, which is similar to my story, as I’ve had to overcome so many obstacles to get here today.”

Kieran Behan tests out his Samsung Galaxy S7 edge Olympic Games Limited Edition at Samsung Galaxy Studio in Olympic Park. “It truly is a collector’s item,” he said of the smartphone.

The Galaxy Studio located within the Olympic Park was specifically designed to help fans embrace the excitement of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and celebrate the Olympic spirit, enabling them to create, capture and share their own experiences. To complement the Samsung Galaxy Studio in the Olympic Park, two additional Galaxy Studios will be stationed in the Olympic Village and Main Press Centre (MPC); as well as several Galaxy Studios throughout local cities in Brazil to help expand the Olympic spirit to a wider audience.

For more information about Samsung’s involvement in the Olympic Games, please visit www.samsungmobilepress.com/Olympics/

Samsung Electronics, Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Wireless Communications Equipment category, hosted the opening ceremony of the Samsung Galaxy Studio in Olympic Park ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (From left) Chief Commercial Officer of the Rio 2016 Committee, Renato Ciuchini; Managing Director of IOC Television & Marketing Services, Timo Lumme; Olympic mascot Vinicius; President of Samsung Electronics Latin America, Jeonghwan Kim; and Vice President of the Mobile Division of Samsung Brazil, Changhoon Yoon.

Timo Lumme, Managing Director of IOC Television & Marketing Services, sit in a 4D motion chair to experience the extreme 4D kayaking VR at the Samsung Galaxy Studio in Olympic Park, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during its opening ceremony.

Timo Lumme, Managing Director of IOC Television & Marketing Services, experiences the Social Galaxy zone at the Samsung Galaxy Studio in Olympic Park, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during its opening ceremony.

About Samsung’s Involvement in the Olympic Games

Samsung began its Olympic Games involvement as a local sponsor of the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games. Beginning with the Nagano 1998 Olympic Winter Games, the company extended its commitment to the Olympic Movement as the Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Wireless Communications Equipment category, providing its proprietary wireless communications platform, called Wireless Olympic Works (WOW), and mobile devices. These innovative mobile phone technologies provide the Olympic Family with real-time, user location-based information service, interactive communications, and Samsung Pay. Samsung hosts various Olympic campaigns to share the excitement of the Olympic Games with people around the world and enable everyone to participate in the Games through its innovative mobile technology. Samsung’s commitment as a Worldwide Olympic Partner continues through to Rio 2016, PyeongChang 2018, and Tokyo 2020.

Samsung Electronics, Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Wireless Communications Equipment category, announced that the Rio 2016 Official Application is available to download starting today.

The Rio 2016 app which is created by collaboration with the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee will provide a range of features to help user better enjoy this year’s Olympic Games, including the Olympic Games schedule, venue and event information, results, medal counts, and more real-time updates across all Olympic and Paralympic sport.

The Rio 2016 app gives users access to information about all the competitions at the Games, along with up-to-the-minute updates. You can also check out Olympic and world records, plus specific details about all the sports, athletes, teams and venues at the Games, and the official news from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Not only can the Rio 2016 app provide users with all the Olympic Games information that users need, but it is also highly customizable, so users can focus on what matters most to them. User can choose to get results and push-notification alerts based on their favorite countries, sports or athletes, as well as the start time of events, results and medals.

In addition, the app has a “Samsung Zone” that provides information about Samsung’s activities at the Games, as well as the Galaxy X Olympics, customer service and an introduction to the Samsung Members App.

This is the tenth consecutive edition of Olympic Games that Samsung has been an official partner, using its technologies and innovations to help officials, athletes and fans. And Samsung is committed to continuing to share the Olympic spirit to make a better future.

The app is now available in English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese and Korean.

You can download the Rio 2016 Official Application at Galaxy Apps (Mobile), Google Play Store, Apple App Store and the Windows App Store.

* This sample form is intended to be used for reference only.

“The Anthem” opens with a young girl from Australia singing a line of the Botswana national anthem into a Samsung Galaxy S7edge. Throughout the ad, the Samsung Galaxy smartphone travels to all corners of the world, capturing and sharing the voices of fans and athletes around the globe as they sing lines from other national anthems. Each line follows seamlessly to form a brand new anthem, giving viewers a glimpse of how Samsung innovative mobile products and technologies can help to break down geographic barriers and unite the world through deep, borderless connections.

“‘The Anthem’ is a reflection of the Samsung brand and our continuous pursuit to break down geographic barriers and unite the world through technology and borderless communication,” said Younghee Lee, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics. “By singing one anthem, fans and athletes across the globe can feel a shared sense of pride and unity and together celebrate collective progress, which is integral to the spirit of the Olympic Games.”

Six global athletes are featured within the ad, each of whom has a unique story of defying barriers and pushing through constraints to make meaningful progress and achieve his or her goals. The athletes include:

• Tom Daley (Great Britain, Diving) – London 2012 Olympic Games Bronze Medalist, 10m Platform
• Alysia Montano (United States of America, Track & Field) – London 2012 Olympic Games, 5^th place, 800m
• Arnaud Assoumani (France, Paralympic Games Athletics) – London 2012 Paralympic Games 2x Silver Medalist, Triple Jump F46 and Long Jump F46, Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games Gold Medalist, Long Jump F46, Athens 2004 Paralympic Games Bronze Medalist, Long Jump f46
• Margret Rumat Rumat Hassan (South Sudan, Track & Field)
• Shelley Watts (Australia, Boxing)
• Gabriel Medina (Brazil, Surfing) – 2014 WSL World Champion

These athletes will also be featured in a variety of digital and social content, leading up to and throughout Rio 2016 which will tell their stories of defying barriers and overcoming obstacles, helping fans across the globe connect with what it means to “Do What You Can’t.”

“The Anthem” is a continuation of Samsung’s Rio 2016 Olympic Games global campaign centered on athletes who persevere and never giving up for the sake of making meaningful progress. Earlier this year, Samsung began the campaign with the short documentary film, “A Fighting Chance” to showcase the inspiring story of four Olympic hopefuls from diverse countries who are fighting constraints and pushing the limits to help their countries make history. Samsung followed with “The Chant,” which celebrates personal progress made by athletes and fans through devices like the Galaxy S7 edge and Gear IconX that help them to defy distance and stay connected.

Athletes on “The Anthem” and What It Means to “Do What You Can’t”

Tom Daley

“I’m thrilled to be among the talented and strong-minded athletes featured in Samsung’s ‘The Anthem,’ and to share my personal story of defying barriers with the world leading up to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. I’ve overcome several obstacles throughout my athletic career, but I’m thankful for these challenges because they have made me stronger and even more determined to succeed. I hope my story inspires fans around the world to confidently conquer their own challenges.”

Arnaud Assoumani

“When I was 5 years old, I saw athletes on television running and flying into the air and I wanted to feel what it was like to jump and to fly. That was the moment I knew I wanted to be involved in sports. Today, my dreams are still in sport – I love how it has in incredible power of bringing people of all different backgrounds, cultures and languages together. Being a part of Samsung’s ‘The  Anthem’ is a great way for me to show that we’re all sharing the same values and we can mix different cultures and languages and still understand each other.”

Margret Rumat Rumat Hassan

“I participated in the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games as an Independent Olympic Athlete, but in Rio, they will raise the South Sudan flag for the first time and it will be a defining moment for me and my country. To be a part of this group of athletes that Samsung is recognizing shows how much progress has been made for sports in South Sudan. I pushed through many barriers, including civil unrest and lack of training facilities, to be selected to compete at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. It’s a big accomplishment, and I will to continue to push limits to make progress.”

Gabriel Medina

“My mom and dad gave me my first surfboard when I was 8 and I loved it – but it was a challenge for me as a surfer in Brazil, because people didn’t really know about the sport and it wasn’t considered professional. I continued to train hard and after I won my world title in 2014, it became a professional sport in the country. Hearing my national anthem on the podium in 2014, and every time I hear it, I get emotional and I feel proud. I think this happens in every country for every athlete – it’s inspiring. Samsung’s ‘The Anthem’ is amazing because it’s a song that can unite and inspire the whole world.”

For more information about Samsung’s involvement in the Olympic Games, please visit www.samsungmobilepress.com/Olympics/

About Samsung’s Involvement in the Olympic Games

Samsung began its Olympic Games involvement as a local sponsor of the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games. Beginning with the Nagano 1998 Olympic Winter Games, the company extended its commitment to the Olympic Movement as the Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Wireless Communications Equipment category, providing its proprietary wireless communications platform, called Wireless Olympic Works (WOW), and mobile devices. These innovative mobile phone technologies provide the Olympic Family with real-time, user location-based information service, interactive communications, and Samsung Pay. Samsung hosts various Olympic campaigns to share the excitement of the Olympic Games with people around the world and enable everyone to participate in the Games through its innovative mobile technology. Samsung’s commitment as a Worldwide Olympic Partner continues through to Rio 2016, PyeongChang 2018, and Tokyo 2020.

NBC Olympics announced today that it will provide Virtual Reality (VR) coverage of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games exclusively to authenticated users of compatible Samsung Galaxy smartphones together with Samsung Gear VR via the NBC Sports app, marking the first time Olympics programming will be available in VR.

The 85 hours of VR programming, which will be captured by Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) and supplied to NBC Olympics, will include the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, men’s basketball — including the semifinals and final — gymnastics, track and field, beach volleyball, diving, boxing, and fencing, as well as highlight packages of those sports.

All VR programming will be presented on delay, from August 6, the day after the Opening Ceremony, through August 22, the day after the Games conclude. Only Samsung Galaxy smartphones compatible with Gear VR will be able to access the VR content section of the NBC Sports app. Samsung customers can view the VR content via TV Everywhere on the NBC Sports app after authenticating through their pay TV provider.

“The world’s greatest sporting event is always a showcase for cutting edge technology, and we’re thrilled to partner with Samsung and OBS to bring our viewers even closer to compelling Olympic action with virtual reality,” said Gary Zenkel, President, NBC Olympics. “Olympic fans can be transported to iconic venues such as Maracana Stadium for an unprecedented view of the Opening Ceremony, and Copacabana Beach for an immersive beach volleyball experience in the sport’s ultimate setting.”

“Fans of the Olympics will now get to experience the world’s best athletes as they compete in some of the most popular events of Rio 2016 in a whole new way: through virtual reality,” said Marc Mathieu, Chief Marketing Officer at Samsung Electronics America. “We are thrilled to work with NBC and OBS on this first-of-its-kind endeavor, connecting fans right to the action in Rio, powered by 360-degree storytelling, virtual reality and our Galaxy phones.”

“VR technology carries incredible potential for the sport broadcast industry, offering a truly immersive user experience. Our first test in Lillehammer, together with Samsung, for the Winter Youth Olympic Games was highly successful and we look forward to further exploring this exciting technology with NBC in Rio,” said Yiannis Exarchos, OBS CEO. “VR has the power to enable hundreds of millions of people around the world to have a real sense of presence and participation in the most universal celebration of humanity, which is the Olympic Games.”

Virtual Reality immerses the viewer into an environment, whether real or imagined, creating either a lifelike experience at a place in the real world or putting a viewer into simulated environments such as in a VR game. Samsung’s Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note5 phones, when paired with the Samsung Gear VR headset, provide an untethered, fully-immersive experience with 360-degree content for a mobile VR experience that enables people to enjoy an ever-growing library of premium and entertaining games, apps, photos and videos wherever they are.

Samsung is the Official Smartphone Partner of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The Opening Ceremony of the 2016 Rio Olympics is Friday, August 5, on NBC.

About NBC Olympics
A division of NBC Sports Group, NBC Olympics is responsible for producing, programming and promoting NBCUniversal’s Olympic Games coverage. It is renowned for its unsurpassed Olympic heritage, award-winning production, and ability to aggregate the largest audiences in U.S. television history. The London 2012 Olympic Games were   watched by 217 million Americans across the networks of NBCUniversal, making it the most-watched event in U.S. television history.

About Samsung’s Involvement in the Olympic Games
Samsung began its Olympic Games involvement as a local sponsor of the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games. Beginning with the Nagano 1998 Olympic Winter Games, the company extended its commitment to the Olympic Movement as the Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Wireless Communications Equipment category, providing its proprietary wireless communications platform, called Wireless Olympic Works (WOW), and mobile devices. These innovative mobile phone technologies provide the Olympic Family with real-time, user location-based information service, interactive communications, and Samsung Pay. Samsung hosts various Olympic campaigns to share the excitement of the Olympic Games with people around the world and enable everyone to participate in the Games through its innovative mobile technology. Samsung’s commitment as a Worldwide Olympic Partner continues through to Rio 2016, PyeongChang 2018, and Tokyo 2020.

Source: Samsung Newsroom US

“The Chant” is a continuation of Samsung’s support of the pioneering spirit, highlighting perseverance and the will to get back up again against the odds which is ultimately what leads to meaningful progress. Through “The Chant,” Samsung introduces the world to yet another powerful story of defying barriers. The film conveys how the Olympic Games inspire harmony and celebrate the progress of the human race, generating cultural, personal, and technological connections.

“The Chant” opens with Margret in the locker room where she puts in Samsung Gear IconX cord-free earbuds paired with her Samsung Galaxy S7 edge. As Margret walks from the locker room to the stadium, viewers are transported to a village in South Sudan where the entire nation is chanting her name to cheer her on and celebrate her journey. As Margret enters the stadium, the chanting disappears, but she remains strong and confident. Through this film, Samsung celebrates not only the individual progress of Margret, but also the progress of South Sudan as they will participate in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games for the very first time. “The Chant” ends with an inspiring message showcasing Samsung’s commitment to the Olympic Games as the “Proud Sponsor of Those who Defy Barriers.”

Earlier this year, Samsung released a short documentary film, “A Fighting Chance,” sharing the untold stories of courage, hope and persistence that four Olympic Games hopefuls embrace while defying barriers to achieve their dreams of earning an Olympic medal and helping their countries make history.

“The Chant” is the next chapter that continues to showcase Samsung’s celebration for those who push the definition of what is possible and upholds the brand’s unique vision that perseverance through the extraordinary leads to meaningful progress.

For more information and to view “The Chant”, please visit www.youtube.com/samsungmobile.

About Samsung’s Involvement in the Olympic Games

Samsung began its Olympic Games involvement as a local sponsor of the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games. Beginning with the Nagano 1998 Olympic Winter Games, the company extended its commitment to the Olympic Movement as the Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Wireless Communications Equipment category, providing its proprietary wireless communications platform, called Wireless Olympic Works (WOW), and mobile devices. These innovative mobile phone technologies provide the Olympic Family with real-time, user location-based information service, interactive communications, and Samsung Pay. Samsung hosts various Olympic campaigns to share the excitement of the Olympic Games with people around the world and enable everyone to participate in the Games through its innovative mobile technology. Samsung’s commitment as a Worldwide Olympic Partner continues through to Rio 2016, PyeongChang 2018, and Tokyo 2020.

About Margret Rumat Rumat Hassan (400-Meter Runner, South Sudan)

In South Sudan, Margret Rumat Rumat Hassan grew up amidst civil unrest and a male-dominant society. Despite being displaced with her family during the war with Sudan, Margret was encouraged by a close friend to participate in a competitive race, leading her to discover an innate talent: running. After training on her own, Margret was provided with a place in athletics and competed as an Independent Olympic Athlete during the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games. In 2015, South Sudan National Olympic Committee (NOC) was admitted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), giving Margret hopes to compete under her own nation’s flag for the first time during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Samsung Electronics, Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Wireless Communications Equipment category, today launched “Vanuatu Dreams,” a 360-degree virtual reality (VR) film that allows viewers to experience Olympic Games beach volleyball like never before using Samsung Galaxy smartphones and Samsung Gear VR, powered by Oculus. “Vanuatu Dreams,” a 360-degree pieces of VR content developed for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, is now available online and in VR via the Samsung Milk VR app, the company’s premium virtual reality content service.

Academy Award-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville served as creative consultant for “Vanuatu Dreams,” which complements Samsung’s recently released documentary short, “A Fighting Chance.” This documentary short was created in partnership with Neville, which gives an unseen perspective into the lives of four Olympic Games hopefuls from around the world as they defy barriers and persevere through challenges to achieve their dreams of competing at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The film focuses on the training and preparation of two of the four athletes featured in “A Fighting Chance,” beach volleyball pair Miller Pata and Linline Matauatu from Vanuatu. The three-minute piece of content takes viewers on an immersive experience through the volleyball duo’s quest to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Filming took place live on location in Miller and Linline’s home country, and involved some of the most extensive use of close-up 360-degree slow motion in virtual reality history.

As part of a meticulous and specialized filming strategy, the camera was positioned 10-12 inches from the athletes without interfering with their movement. This allows viewers to feel nearly as close to the action as they would in person; they will be able to study Miller and Linline’s faces and see the sand kick up when they dive for the ball.

Samsung Galaxy users can stream or download “Vanuatu Dreams” for free on the Samsung Milk VR app (US only). Samsung Gear VR is compatible with Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 edge+, Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge.

For more information and to view the piece online, please visit www.SamsungMobilePress.com/AFightingChance.

Samsung Electronics, Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Wireless Communications Equipment category, announced a partnership with Academy Award® winning filmmaker Morgan Neville (“20 Feet from Stardom”; “Best of Enemies”) on “A Fighting Chance”, a documentary short that will tell the inspiring, untold stories of four Olympic Games hopefuls on their quest to overcome remarkable odds and obstacles to compete at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The collaboration is part of Samsung’s commitment to spread the Olympic spirit by shining a spotlight on these athletes as they relentlessly push the boundaries of what is possible.

The documentary short, slated for release next month, will take viewers on an emotive journey as they are exposed to the unexplored worlds of athletes from three diverse countries – Lesotho, Vanuatu, and the Dominican Republic. Neville traveled thousands of miles to capture the history, ambition and shared passion of these Olympic Games hopefuls, each fighting daily constraints in hopes of seeing the flag of their country fly from the podium in Rio de Janeiro. Similar to its relentless pursuit of innovation that enriches people’s lives, Samsung aspires to fuel meaningful progress for the future by sharing these stories.

“I am happy to be working with Samsung to create this documentary film in the lead up to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Samsung is a brand known around the world, and I’ve seen the positive impact it can make on not just these athletes, but on others as well,” said director Morgan Neville. “If the Olympic Spirit is about overcoming every hurdle and accepting no limits, then I think Samsung is a great ambassador for these values.”

“A Fighting Chance” will introduce the world to the following Olympic Games hopefuls:

• Tsepo Mathibelle (Marathon Running, 24 years old, Lesotho): In Lesotho, a small country landlocked by South Africa, viewers will meet Tsepo Mathibelle, a determined marathoner running to support his entire family. After finishing in last place at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Tsepo remains steadfast in his quest to win Lesotho’s first Olympic medal.
• Miller Pata & Linline Matauatu (Beach Volleyball, 23 and 26 years old, Vanuatu): In Vanuatu, an island country in the South Pacific which was devastated by Cyclone Pam in 2015, viewers will be introduced to Miller Pata and Linline Matauatu, a beach volleyball team whose everyday tenacity and perseverance is inspiring  generation of Ni-Vanuatu women to think beyond the limits of traditional boundaries and follow their dreams.
• Yenebier Guillén Benitez (Boxing, 75kg, 29 years old, Dominican Republic): Yenebier Guillén Benitez is a young woman striving to be the first female Olympic medalist from her country, smashing gender barriers with every punch. She is determined to keep the sport legacy alive in her family, following in the footsteps of both her father and grandfather.

Neville, known for his unique ability to make relatively unknown subjects become the stars, took a unique approach to bringing these stories to life through documentary storytelling. He spent time in each athlete’s home country, where he conducted intimate interviews with the Olympic Games hopefuls, their coaches, teammates and community members to learn about the ways in which they are breaking the mold and writing history for their countries. He also observed and captured their rigorous training routines – a universal theme of dedication and determination weaving each athlete’s journey together under the umbrella of a shared goal: to win an Olympic medal.

“Samsung is in a unique position to tell the untold stories of these athletes because we live the same dreams of being extraordinary and pushing limits to achieve the impossible,” said Younghee Lee, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics. “As a dedicated Worldwide Olympic Partner, we believe that this film will captivate the world in the lead up to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, fueling the Olympic Movement overall and shining a spotlight on athletes and countries that many fans would have never known before.”

Samsung is constantly striving to connect and help people stay connected, share experiences and create the memories that write history. To enhance each athlete’s training and help them stay connected with family, friends and coaches on the road to Rio, they were provided with a variety of Samsung Galaxy mobile products and technology.

For more information and to view the official film trailer, please visit www.samsungmobilepress.com or www.youtube.com/samsungmobile.

About Morgan Neville

Morgan Neville is a documentary filmmaker whose films focus on culture. His acclaimed film 20 Feet From Stardom won the 2014 Academy Award for Best Documentary as well as a Grammy Award for Best Music Film in 2015. His most recent documentary, Best of Enemies, was released by Magnolia Pictures and Participant Media in 2015 and was shortlisted for the 2016 Academy Award. Neville has been nominated for three additional Grammys for his films: Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story, Muddy Waters Can’t Be Satisfied and Johnny Cash’s America and won an Emmy Award for his film Hank Williams: Honky Tonk Blues. Neville’s non-music films include The Cool School and Beauty Is Embarrassing. His current projects include: The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and The Silk Road Ensemble, slated to be released by The Orchard in 2016, Chelsea Does, a four-part documentary series to be released in January 2016, and Keith Richards: Under the Influence, recently released in September 2015.

About Samsung’s Involvement in the Olympic Games

Samsung began its Olympic Games involvement as a local sponsor of the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games. Beginning with the Nagano 1998 Olympic Winter Games, the company extended its commitment to the Olympic Movement as the Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Wireless Communications Equipment category, providing its proprietary wireless communications platform, called Wireless Olympic Works (WOW), and mobile devices. These innovative mobile phone technologies provide the Olympic Family with real-time, user location-based information service, interactive communications, and Samsung Pay. Samsung hosts various Olympic campaigns to share the excitement of the Olympic Games with people around the world and enable everyone to participate in the Games through its innovative mobile technology. Samsung’s commitment as a Worldwide Olympic Partner continues through to Rio 2016, PyeongChang 2018, and Tokyo 2020.