Samsung Electronics Links World to 2010 Games

Samsung Offers Wireless Phone Network at Winter Olympics

Sep 29, 2009

Electronics giant Samsung plans to link fans to events at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games via special Wireless Olympics Works (WOW) software and Samsung mobile phones.

“Through its advanced wireless telecommunication technology and products,” says the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) in its sponsorship notes, “Samsung is recognized for providing the Games with crucial, real-time information service in support of the world's largest sporting event.”

Samsung Electronics Olympic Involvement

Samsung's sponsorship of the Olympic movement has a history spanning more than two decades.

Samsung has committed to continuing its Olympic partnership through the 2016 Olympic Games.

Team Samsung

Samsung has lined up a group of high-profile names to act as brand ambassadors for the Olympics. "Team Samsung" (a takeoff on "Team Canada") will share their WOW sports moments with fans. The team consists of Canadian hockey players:

“It's an honor to lead Team Samsung as the Olympic Games returns to Canada in 2010”, said Gretzky in a Samsung media release dated 23 June 2009. “As part of Team Samsung, I know the company is truly dedicated to sports and mobile phone technology. Through the power of its innovative wireless technologies, I expect Samsung will link fans around the world..so we can experience the excitement together.”

Samsung's WOW Program

On International Olympic Day (June 23, 2009), Samsung Electronics launched a program where sports fans can link to information on the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games through their Samsung mobile phones.

The program, Wireless Olympics Works (WOW), involves software that fans can download from Samsung's website (www.samsung.com/vancouver2010) and install in their phones. Users will receive real-time information and updates from the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Samsung Electronics is offering the program in cooperation with data specialist Atos Origin and chronology experts Omega. Timekeeping functions are managed by Omega, while official results will be via Atos Origin, while Samsung aims to deliver “seamless” wireless WOW service.

Samsung's Committment

“The Olympic Games are much more than sports and competition; they are about community, camaraderie and individuals challenging themselves to find inspiration and achieve excellence,” said Gyehyun Kwon, VP and head of the Worldwide Sports Marketing section of Samsung Electronics. “Likewise, Samsung seeks to use mobile phone technology...to unify people around the world and help them discover their own WOW moments during the Olympic Games.”

“The Vancouver 2010 Winter Games will be full of 'wow' moments, from the breathtaking scenery to thrilling moments of triumph in our world-class sports venues,” said John Furlong, VANOC's CEO. “A global leader in wireless technology, Samsung will help share these moments with sports fans around the world, including [reporting results] on handsets for the first time in Olympic history. This is in addition to the more than 7000 individual pieces of telecommunications they're contributing to the Games.”

Having the first use of mobile phones as a medium of communication is another interesting feature of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. It's a coup that will no doubt bring Samsung Electronics further attention and business.

The copyright of the article Samsung Electronics Links World to 2010 Games in Winter Olympic Games is owned by Thomas Alan Gray. Permission to republish Samsung Electronics Links World to 2010 Games in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.