FutureFive New Zealand - Consumer technology news & reviews from the future
Story image
NZ Olympians 'Get Smart' with Samsung technology
Mon, 3rd Feb 2014
FYI, this story is more than a year old

Samsung New Zealand has today announced the technological support of New Zealand Olympic Winter athletes Jossi Wells and Anna Willcox.

As a result, Samsung will provide the pair with Smart Beanies and Galaxy Note 3 smartphones to share their Olympic experiences with Kiwis across the globe.

The Samsung Smart Beanies Project will allow New Zealanders to see exactly what skiers Wells and Wilcox see as they progress through the games.

Samsung has provided its support to help further both athlete's Olympic dreams and to provide all New Zealanders with a first-hand experience of what it is like to compete as an Olympic athlete.

The beanies will work with the athletes’ Galaxy Note 3 smartphones, which have been named the official Olympic Games phone for Sochi 2014.

As part of our Global Sponsorship partnership with the IOC, Samsung's Kiwi division is also working closely with the New Zealand Olympic Committee and our athletes to get exclusive behind the scenes content.

Each device automatically tracks its athlete’s location, speed, heart rate, and even which way up they are. The beanie and Galaxy Note 3 will also capture exciting moments with an onboard camera.

Back home, people can see online what our inspiring free skiers see. So while our athletes are giving it their all, the Samsung Smart Beanies Project will make sure every New Zealander can be right there with them.

“Showing people what we’ve been training for, what we have to push our bodies to do, and all the complexities of our sport from our point of view is priceless,” says Jossi Wells, New Zealand slopestyle and halfpipe skier.

“The best way to understand the challenges we face and how we’re putting it on the line for New Zealand is to see what we see. Samsung has enabled that.”

Content generated from the project will be available via the official social media streams of Samsung New Zealand and the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC), and the Samsung SportsFlow app, including training footage, as well as exclusive behind the scenes sneak peeks captured in the Olympic Village by our athletes.

“I’ve wanted to share my experiences with my family and friends since I began skiing,” adds Anna Willcox, New Zealand slopestyle skier.

“The beanies are such a clever way to record what’s happening while I concentrate on what’s important, skiing. They allow me to share my journey with the people I care about and with the people who have supported me over the years.”

New Zealanders are encouraged to follow both though their training, arrival at the Olympic village, opening ceremonies, and their first course look and practice runs in Sochi.

“We know just how committed Kiwi sports fans are and we are proud to play a part in bringing the athletes and their supporters together," adds Mike Cornwell, Marketing Director, Samsung New Zealand.

"Jossi and Anna will be two of more than 2,500 athletes with Samsung smartphones at the Olympic Games. We wish them both well and can’t wait to share in their Olympic success."