Paris '24: IOC TOP sponsor Samsung inks deals with 3 Oly sports

Samsung Paris 2024 Sports Partnerships

IOC TOP sponsor Samsung has announced new agreements to support competitions for three of the Olympics' newest sports in the lead-up to the Paris 2024 Games.

The collaboration will see Samsung work alongside the World Surf League (WSL), Street League Skateboarding (SLS) and Pro Breaking Tour (PBT) to celebrate the sports of surfing, skateboarding and breaking — and their communities — on the Road to Paris 2024 and beyond.

The Korean conglomerate’s deals with WSL, SLS and PBT not only align Samsung with some of the newest and youth-focused Olympic sports, but also offer the ability to sustain the association after the Paris Games this summer.

As announced earlier this year, Samsung’s official theme for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024, ‘Open always wins,’ articulates the brand’s belief that with an open mind, every new experience becomes a meaningful achievement that opens up new perspectives and infinite possibilities. These three sports, each built with shared values and respect, embody the spirit of ‘Open always wins,’ and Samsung is committed to supporting their inspiring and close-knit communities.

“Surfing, skateboarding and breaking, though proudly unique, share a foundation,” said Stephanie Choi, EVP & head of Marketing of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “Open mindset to try new things, the determination to push the limits of what’s possible and a culture of inclusivity that embraces everyone lie at the heart of each sport. These attributes are something we at Samsung are also passionate about, and we are honored to support these three organizations and their athletes and recognize their communities — not only as the countdown to Paris 2024 continues, but as they work to open their sports to the world every day.”

Samsung will engage WSL, SLS and PBT athletes and fan bases at key events on the Road to the Games. These partnerships will come to life through a new collaborative initiative designed to spotlight the iconic figures and subcultures of each community, as well as their unique stories, which will be unveiled in April.

“We are proud to partner with Samsung to showcase our incredible athletes and their journey to Paris 2024 — and Tahiti,” said Tim Greenberg, WSL EVP, Content Strategy and Production. “Together we will celebrate surfing’s unique culture, communities and athletes in this important and exciting year for the sport.”

“Our organization was founded with the aim to foster the popularity and acceptance of street skateboarding worldwide,” said Matt Rodriguez, general manager, SLS. “We live these values every day and are so pleased to partner with Samsung, a brand that focuses on openness and inclusivity at its core. Together, we’ll strengthen our platform, support our community and reinforce our shared belief in openness.”

“Over the past decade since our tour’s inception, we’ve witnessed an incredible evolution in our sport and culture,” said Chris Wright, also known as “Cros One,” founder of PBT. “Big shoutout to the b-boys and b-girls who push the limits of creativity and self-expression every day. Now, we’re gearing up to make history with our Olympic debut, and we’re excited that Samsung is on board to amplify this pivotal moment in our sport’s journey.”

Additional details on the community initiative and partnership activities will be shared in the coming weeks.