Samsung seals Olympic deal with golden handshake

Samsung and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have signed an agreement to extend their partnership through to the 2020 Olympic Games.

The signing ceremony took place on August 17th in Nanjing, China, the host city of the 2nd Summer Youth Olympic Games.

"Samsung aims to spread the Olympic spirit through our innovative products, enabling all fans around the world to stay connected and share the excitement of the Olympic Movement," says Younghee Lee, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing, IT & Mobile Division at Samsung Electronics.

"We are proud to extend our involvement as it is meaningful to us to inspire people through the passion that lies behind the Games and contribute to creating a smarter Olympic Games."

Samsung will officially sponsor the Olympic Games through the Pyeong Chang 2018 Olympic Winter Games and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in the "Wireless Communications Equipment and Computing Equipment" category.

This expanded product category includes smartphones, tablets, laptops, personal computers and other computing equipment, and desktop printers.

"We are delighted to be able to continue our partnership with Samsung,” says Thomas Bach, IOC President.

“The funding generated by the TOP Programme directly supports the staging of every Olympic Games, as well as every one of the National Olympic Committees, enabling athletes from all over the world to prepare for and compete at each Games.”

“Samsung also supports the operations of each Games by providing leading wireless telecommunications and technology equipment.

“In addition, Samsung's technologies and global marketing reach will engage fans around the world with the Olympic values and the Olympic Movement."

Samsung's association with the Olympic Movement began when the company became a local sponsor of the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games.

Since the Nagano 1998 Olympic Winter Games, Samsung has joined the TOP (The Olympic Partner) Programme and has been a Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Wireless Communications Equipment category.

The company's role has evolved throughout 26 years of its involvement with the Olympic Games.