Inside The Olympic Village: How Athletes Are Flipping the Script on The Road to The Podium

The Olympic Winter Games 2026 are officially underway, and one thing is clear around the Olympic Village: the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Olympic Edition has quickly become an essential part of athletes’ everyday Games experience. 

Gifted to almost 3,800 Olympians and Paralympians, the Olympic Edition is helping them to stay connected with home, capture unforgettable moments, and share their journey with fans in real time — all while fitting seamlessly into the fast-paced rhythm of Olympic Games life. 

Staying close to home, even miles away

For many athletes, the Olympic Village is a temporary home filled with emotion, anticipation and quiet moments between competitions.  

Italian short-track speed skater Arianna Sighel captured that feeling perfectly, sharing a mirror selfie from her room with the Olympic Edition – on the front screen is a beautiful picture of her family. 

Italian short-track speed skater @ariannasighel

With its compact, foldable design and high-quality selfie camera, the Olympic Edition makes it easy for athletes to check in with loved ones — whether through a quick photo, a video call, or a message before heading out the door.  

Life in the Village, one swipe at a time

Belgian speed skating star Bart Swings offered fans a behind-the-scenes look at his first days in Milan, swiping through moments that define Olympic Games life: selfies in his room with his skates, iconic shots of the Olympic rings in the heart of the Village, and the excitement of unboxing his Olympic Edition straight from the Samsung booth. 

Belgian speed skating star @bart_swings  

From there, the Olympic Edition has followed Bart everywhere — part of daily routines at training in the rink, mounted for cycling sessions using Dual Recording, and filming workouts in the gym. For athletes balancing training, recovery and content creation, having a powerful communications device in a pocket-sized form factor makes all the difference. 

Iconic backdrops, unforgettable selfies

The stunning scenery surrounding Milano Cortina 2026 venues has inspired athletes to stop and capture the moment. Alpine skier Elena Curtoni snapped a bright selfie in the mountains in front of the Olympic rings, ticking off a must-have Games memory with her Olympic Edition. 

On the ice, Dutch Olympic short-track champion Suzanne Schulting shared training-day selfies rinkside without missing a beat between laps. 

Dutch short-track champion @suzanneschulting

Sharing the magic — together

Some moments are simply too big not to share. Polish athlete Michał Woźniak captured the pure energy of the Opening Ceremony in a video alongside his teammates, while Swiss snowboarder David Hablützel filmed his very first trip to on-site training — a milestone moment powered by the Olympic Edition. 

Freestyle snowboarder Marcus Kleveland summed up the excitement during his unboxing: “Sleek, compact, and built to move — just like life on snow.”  

Out on the slopes, Txema Mazet-Brown celebrated being part of Team Samsung Galaxy, capturing snowy moments with the Olympic Edition. 

Enhancing the Olympic Games experience

From morning training sessions to calls home, the Olympic Edition has been warmly received by athletes across disciplines. Its compact design slips easily into pockets, its Flex Mode unlocks new creative angles, and its powerful camera helps athletes tell their Olympic Games stories — exactly as they live them. 

At the Olympic Village in Milan, the Galaxy Z Flip7 Olympic Edition isn’t just a smartphone. It’s a connection to home, a creative tool, and a memory-maker — helping athletes focus on what matters most while capturing every unforgettable step of their Olympic Games journey.