The event signifies the launch of Samsung’s overall Olympic campaign, including its Torchbearer nomination campaign, to the general public. Samsung hopes to select from more nominees than ever before to carry the Olympic Flame as it travels the UK in 2012. To kick off the process, David Beckham announced Gabriella Roseje, as Samsung’s first nomination for a bearer of the Olympic Flame.
As an Olympic Torch Relay Presenting Partner, Samsung is selecting a significant proportion of the 8,000 Olympic Torchbearers. To deliver the kick off, David Beckham, in his role as Samsung Global Olympic Games Ambassador, announced Samsung’s first London 2012 Olympic Torchbearer nominee.
Receiving the honour was 18 year old sportswoman Gabriella Roseje from Bermondsey, London. Roseje was commended by Samsung and Beckham for her outstanding work with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds using her sporting talent.
Beckham commented: “Gabriella is an impressive and inspiring person. Not only is she successful in her own right, she willingly supports and helps those around her. Gabriella stands out for all the right reasons. I’m proud to nominate her as Samsung’s first Olympic Torchbearer. The nomination campaign aims to give the unsung heroes in communities across the world their chance to shine in the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay – it’s Everyone’s Olympic Games. Gabriella is perfect example of the kind of qualities we are looking for in a person to run with the Olympic Flame.”
Commenting on her nomination as Torchbearer, Roseje said: “I am so excited to be chosen by Samsung and David Beckham to become Samsung’s first London 2012 Torchbearer nominee. My goal is to make a real difference by helping others realise that it’s not where you are from in life that’s important but where you can go. I don’t believe I am any different from anyone else, but I do believe that everyone can offer something. I hope my nomination inspires others to nominate someone they think goes the extra mile; to be a Samsung Olympic Games Torchbearer.”
Sangsuk Roh, President of Samsung Electronics Levant said: “Gabriella is an inspiration to us all."
Presenting Samsung’s ambition for London 2012, Roh continued: "Throughout the many years of Samsung’s support for the Olympic Games, our role has evolved to become an integral part of the viewing experience, an achievement that will continue up to and throughout London 2012 in our campaign, ‘Everyone’s Olympic Games’. We have created a host of exciting opportunities to involve as many people as possible, in an unforgettable global experience."
Samsung is also unveiling its new logo for the Olympic Games, known as the Samsung Olympic Visual Identity System (SOVIS). The design, developed exclusively for Samsung by award winning artist Kate Moross, will roll out across all Samsung Olympic campaign and advertising including the Olympic Torch Relay.
Samsung has been associated with the Olympic Games for almost 25 years and has been the Official Wireless Telecommunications Partner since 1998.