- Date
- 10 Feb 2016
- Tags
- Lillehammer 2016 , IOC News , YOG
Worldwide Olympic Partner Samsung set to help IOC bring virtual reality to Lillehammer 2016
The IOC is set to bring the Lillehammer 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) to life through the first-ever virtual reality (VR) live streaming of the Opening Ceremony. This stream can be experienced on Samsung mobile phones. This is part of a series of interactive experiences that aim to enhance the YOG experience through cutting-edge mobile communications technology.
The VR live streaming of the Opening Ceremony on 12 February will be the first Olympic coverage ever delivered in virtual reality, with users able to enjoy immersive angles of the Olympic torch lighting, the Parade of Nations and other ceremony highlights. Throughout the Games, the IOC will offer, with the support of Samsung, daily VR sporting highlights to provide a captivating Winter YOG experience. You can access the VR content from Lillehammer by using a Samsung phone and compatible VR gear. Visit www.olympic.org on your mobile phone during Games-times for a direct link to the Youth Olympic Games VR experience.
“Samsung is a longstanding Worldwide Olympic Partner that is dedicated to enhancing the fan experience through innovative mobile communications technologies at both the Olympic Games and Youth Olympic Games”, said Timo Lumme, Managing Director of IOC Television and Marketing Services.
“We are excited to offer this first-of-its-kind VR live streaming offering, which can be experienced using Samsung’s mobile phones. It is one example of the ways that we can use mobile communications technology to ensure we engage with young people both onsite in Lillehammer and those watching remotely”.
Last week an IOC delegation led by IOC President Bach visited Samsung’s research facility in Mountain View, California. YJ Kim, the President of Samsung Research America and Pranav Mistry, Global VP, Head of the Think Tank Team responsible for new product development, provided an interactive tour, including demonstrations of Samsung’s new mobile phones to experience virtual reality content.
Samsung has also launched a new campaign for the Games, entitled “The Only Way to Know”, which is designed to encourage young people to explore the uncertain and pursue their dreams. By utilising Samsung’s latest mobile communications technology, the campaign will help provide highly engaging experiences to maximise the fun and excitement of Lillehammer 2016.
“We understand that challenges facing today’s youth can be daunting, and we are committed to providing opportunities and programmes designed to inspire them along the way to never lose sight of their hopes and dreams”, said Younghee Lee, Executive Vice-President of Global Marketing, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung is proud to spread the Youth Olympic Games spirit both in Lillehammer and around the globe and create new experiences designed to reach youths through our state-of-the-art technology and riveting VR content.”
A new TV and digital commercial accompanies “The Only Way to Know” campaign, telling the story of several YOG hopefuls who have battled against the odds to achieve their dreams.
On the ground in Lillehammer, athletes, students and spectators at the Games will also be able to enjoy three Samsung Galaxy Studios – the VR Bus, VR Monument and the VR Station – in different locations, which will provide hands-on experiences with Samsung mobile products including the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy S6 edge.
Samsung, which will also equip the 47 IOC Young Ambassadors with Galaxy S6 edge+ smartphones to share their YOG experiences, first provided its innovative wireless communications technology to the Olympic Games in 1988 and became a Worldwide Olympic Partner ahead of the Olympic Winter Games Nagano 1998.
The Lillehammer 2016 Winter YOG will be held from 12 to 21 February, bringing together approximately 1,100 young athletes from 70 National Olympic Committees, who will compete across all seven winter Olympic sports.