Samsung Electronics is expanding its athlete support and sports marketing using Galaxy smartphones at the Olympic stage in Africa for the first time. The Youth Olympic Games will introduce the 'Victory Selfie,' allowing medal winners to capture their award moments, and Galaxy products will be utilized for event broadcasts.
Samsung announced its participation as the official wireless communications partner of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the '2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games,' which began on October 31 in Dakar, Senegal. The event will run until November 13, featuring approximately 2,700 young athletes competing in 25 sports.
This event marks the first introduction of Samsung's 'Victory Selfie' at the Youth Olympics. This program allows medal-winning athletes to take photos with Galaxy smartphones from the podium. It was first showcased at the 2024 Paris Olympics and was also implemented at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
During the skateboarding and taekwondo events, the Galaxy S26 Ultra will be used alongside broadcast cameras. This approach aims to enhance the viewing experience by capturing angles that traditional cameras cannot. Utilizing smartphones for event broadcasts showcases the camera capabilities of the products in real-world scenarios rather than through separate advertisements.
A 'Samsung Open Station' will also be set up in the athlete village, allowing athletes to experience Galaxy products. They can create Olympic-themed photos using Galaxy AI or record their experiences and aspirations on video. These videos will serve as content to preserve athletes' memories leading up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Additionally, a mentoring program called 'Beyond the Medal' will support the growth of young athletes. Role model athletes selected by the IOC will share their experiences and advice.
Choi Seung-eun, Vice President of Mobile Marketing at Samsung Electronics, stated, "We will support the next generation of promising athletes to challenge themselves, learn, and enjoy special moments in life through innovative wireless technology experiences."
Since starting regional sponsorship for the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Samsung has been a global official partner of the IOC since the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. The company expanded its support to include the Youth Olympic Games in 2010 and continues to focus on connecting with future generations of athletes through mobile technology.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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