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Olympic Athletes May Use iPhones Without Restriction During Opening Ceremony Says IOC

Thursday February 6, 2014 9:39 am PST by Jordan Golson
OlympicringsThe International Olympic Committee confirmed today that Olympic athletes are free to use any device they wish during the Opening Ceremonies, including iPhones. They are also not required to cover any logos on their devices.

Yesterday, it was reported that Samsung had asked athletes to cover the logos on devices made by competitors during the opening ceremonies as a condition for receiving a free Galaxy Note 3 smartphone in the gift bags given to all athletes.

In an email exchange with MacRumors today, an IOC spokesperson was asked about athletes being asked to cover non-Samsung logos on mobile devices. She responded saying the report was "not true":
No it is not true. Athletes can use any device they wish during the Opening Ceremony. The normal rules apply just as per previous Games.

The Samsung Note 3 that were distributed are a gift to the athletes, so they can capture and share their experiences at the Games, and the phones also contain important competition and logistical information for competing athletes.
Olympic athletes are controversially banned from mentioning any non-sponsor products during their time at the Olympics, including on social media and clothing. Rule 40 of the Olympic Charter, the rule covering the mention of non-sponsors, does have a specific exemption for sponsor logos on clothing or equipment that cover less than 10% of the surface area of the product in question.

It is possible that Samsung requested that logos be covered, but it is not an official IOC request and athletes will not be penalized for using or displaying non-Samsung phones.

[ 132 comments ]

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sherwinzadeh
74 months ago
I'd be like:
Rating: 27 Votes
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XboxMySocks
74 months ago
Hahahaha that's got to hurt for Samsung. Your fault for trying to get it that way anyway.
Rating: 18 Votes
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DrManhattan
74 months ago
I told you guys yesterday. But trolls insisted this restriction by Samsung is normal.
Rating: 17 Votes
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rablat
74 months ago
No big deal samsung phones all look like iPhones anyway.
Rating: 16 Votes
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milo
74 months ago
I'm not surprised they threw Samsung under the bus. It's not realistic or reasonable to expect them not to be able to use devices they own, or have to try and cover up a logo.
Rating: 13 Votes
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ardchoille50
74 months ago

Samsung is now trying to get their sponsorship money back and requesting athletes return the phones.


I wouldn't have accepted the Samsung device anyway, why would I want a volkswagon when I already have a Rolls Royce? :)
Rating: 12 Votes
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Xian Zhu Xuande
74 months ago

Apple would have done the same. Let's at least TRY to be fair.

Because they're a big company? Nah, there are numerous companies out there who would have the good sense to avoid this type of sleazy marketing for exactly the reason that it comes to light, if not for other moral reasons.

And this sort of stunt is not something Apple's history suggests an affinity for.
Rating: 12 Votes
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energyboy
74 months ago

Hahahaha that's got to hurt for Samsung. Your fault for trying to get it that way anyway.


Apple would have done the same. Let's at least TRY to be fair.
Rating: 12 Votes
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Tankmaze
74 months ago

It is possible that Samsung requested that logos be covered, but it is not an official IOC request and athletes will not be penalized for using or displaying non-Samsung phones.


oops, too bad for samsung.
it's a ridiculous rule anyway.
Rating: 12 Votes
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milo
74 months ago

Apple would have done the same. Let's at least TRY to be fair.


That's speculation. Companies are judged on what they do, not assumptions that every other company is just as bad.
Rating: 11 Votes

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