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Get Up and Go
Samsung and EOC launch ´GET UP AND GO´ Sports and Wellbeing Programme for young people across Europe
Rome, Italy, 13 September 2007 - Samsung Electronics Europe, an innovator in the electronics industry, today announced their collaboration with the European Olympic Committees (EOC), celebrating the launch of their ´GET UP AND GO´ programme. Designed to get children playing and enjoying Olympic sports, this exciting programme promotes health and wellbeing, not to mention fun!
This prestigious partnership will see Samsung and the EOC (the representative organisation for the 49 European National Olympic Committees (NOC´s)), introducing sports education programmes into 750 [TBC] schools and after-school clubs across five European countries. Sports equipment, specially created lesson materials and expert training from past Olympians such as Irish boxing legend, Michael Carruth, will be provided to teachers and coaches. The programme will be piloted in the five countries this year - Croatia, Denmark, Ireland, Italy and UK, after which the EOC aim to roll this out across Europe.
Today, at the Stadio della Pallacorda in Rome, the impressive stadium which played host to the 1960 Olympic Games, the ´GET UP AND GO´ ambassador, Goran Ivanišević, helped young children mark the launch of the programme with a mini-Olympics show. The event showcased a range of Olympic sports which will be actively introduced in the selected schools and after-school clubs from October, encouraging children to take part and ´GET UP & GO´ in a fun and supportive environment. The Olympic sports featured in the programme are athletics (including running, long jump and triple jump), football, basketball, handball, baseball, softball, badminton, tennis, hockey and gymnastics.
Goran, himself an Olympian, as well as Tennis champion, explained: "I am thrilled to be supporting the Samsung-EOC scheme, primarily because it drives sport at the most important level - grass roots participation. It is a great opportunity for children to experience a variety of sports which is so important, not only to keep them fit and healthy, but also so that they have fun! Representing my country at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona is something I will never forget, but of course I started out as a young boy, hitting a ball against the wall. Who knows, this opportunity may provide someone else with the inspiration to follow a similar course."
Samsung Electronics Europe is supporting the campaign as part of their ongoing commitment to promoting sport. Samsung believes that sport, and especially the Olympics, plays a unique role in unifying people regardless of age, gender or race. As a TOP Sponsor of the Olympics since 1997, Samsung is well placed to continue spreading the Olympic message focusing on the pleasure in taking part in sport. Following the Olympic creed, Samsung shares the goal of "building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport, practiced in accordance with Olympism and its values".
In Soo Kim, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics Europe, said: "Samsung Electronics Europe is excited to be involved in such a fantastic initiative. Our partnership with the EOC demonstrates our long-term commitment to not only the Olympics and everything it stands for, but also to promoting the benefits of sport to kids across Europe."
Patrick Hickey, President of the EOC, added: "We are delighted to be working with Samsung on the ´GET UP AND GO´ programme. Both organisations share a common aim which focuses on getting our children fitter and more active, in a fun and enjoyable environment".
For more information about the programme, please visit www.samsunggetupandgo.com
About Samsung
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2006 parent company sales of US$63.4 billion and net income of US$8.5 billion. Employing approximately 138,000 people in over 124 offices in 56 countries, the company consists of five main business units: Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business, Telecommunication Network Business and Digital Appliance Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com
About the European Olympics Committees
The European Olympic Committees (EOC) represent the 49 European National Olympic Committees (NOC´s) within the International Olympic Committees (IOC). Based in Rome, the President is Mr. Patrick Hickey, IOC Member and President of the Irish National Olympic Committee.
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