Korean electronics manufacturer Samsung has extended its worldwide TOP partnership with the International Olympic Committee through to 2020, becoming the IOC’s final existing top-tier partner to commit through to the Tokyo Games in six years' time.
Samsung’s first Olympic Games as a TOP partner was the 1998 winter Olympics in Nagano and its extended deal takes in the 2016 summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro; the 2018 winter Games, which takes place in PyeongChang in its home country; Tokyo 2020 and all Youth Olympic Games during this period.
Samsung will serve as the official worldwide Olympic partner in the wireless communication equipment and computing equipment category.
IOC president Thomas Bach said: “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 is the 11th company to commit to the TOP Programme through 2020. Japanese tyre company Bridgestone in June became a new addition to the roster, signing a 10-year deal from 2014-15 to 2023-24.
In February, French IT services company Atos renewed its deal through to 2020, while Japanese electronics firm Panasonic became the first TOP partner to extend its partnership through to the 2022-24 period.
Samsung's new contract was announced at the second edition of the summer Youth Olympic Games, which officially opened in Nanjing, China on Saturday.