Olympic Athletes Requested to Cover Apple Logos During Opening Ceremony Because of Samsung Sponsorship [Updated]

[Will do good]

That would be soooooooooooooo funny. You know what would be even funnier? If Samsung or one of the other worldwide sponsors pulls out of their sponsorship. That would be funny. Because then, the athletes who currently compete for free, would have to finance their own trip. All would not be lost though. They could get an easy $4-500 for that iPhone.

You are right, there wouldn't be an Olympic without these sponsors. Thanks god for these sponsors. I wonder who was the sponsors of the earlier games, maybe the athletes sell apples on the street corners too?

 

[charlituna]

Here's a crazy thought. How about folks not pull out any phones during the opening ceremony. And talk about sports, not products. It's the Olympics not a trade show

 

[macfacts]

I maybe get this with respect to clothing or equipment companies but outside of that it seems like a stupid rule. If someone doesn't use a Samsung phone it's stupid to make them pretend they do for two weeks. Plus how many athletes want to spend time fiddling around with a new phone during the Olympics? That's the last thing I'd want to spend my time doing.

They only have to cover up the apple logo, not stop using their iphone.

 

[charlituna]

if we are all lucky maybe the TV networks will just not cover the olympics this time around.. I think last time around they were down to one .... If they want to play for sponcer dollars let them sell access to the people who want to see the events... maybe even apple will cut them a deal and create a "Special Olympic" channel just for them on the ole apple TV

lol

NBC and BBC pay for the exclusive TV rights.

And there's an app for watching videos. Since it will be inconvenient times for me to watch live I'll just use that on my ipad

 

[jw2002]

This whole story should finally put to rest the old lie that the Olympics are about the athletes. Total hogwash. It's all about the sponsors and their efforts to game an already corrupted system -- to the point of actually dictating the content and imagery that can be shown during the games and ceremonies. Serious question: which is more corrupt? The Olympics or American wrestling?

 

[Lancer]

Given the 1000s of iPhones and iPads likely to be in use this is impractical to say the least. But I do remember spectators in the past being asked to do similar and end being refused entry.

The world has gone crazy!

The do wonder with all the Apple sponsored programs on NBC they much be in a tricky situation.

 

[BvizioN]

Will you be getting rid of all of your Apple products that contain Samsung or made by Samsung components too?

I seriously don't know why when it comes to Apple products, everyone knows what components are used in them. The truth of the matter is, they are Apple products, regardless of the components used in them, and you guys (am looking at you AppleScruff1) know it very well, but you try to spin it your way for years now.

In other words you guys are saying that Leonardo Da Vinci should not be fully credited for his Mona Lisa masterpiece because he most likely used brushes and paints he did not made himself!

Get real you guys.

 

[Candlelight]

Some of the comments on this thread are just crazy.

It's the Olympics. There are rules to follow, including those for sponsorship.

I had a mate attending the Sydney games who was refused entry to an event because he had a can of Pepsi, because it was sponsored by Coke (or it was KFC and McDonalds, can't remember).

I'm sure if the situation was reversed you wouldn't be blasting Apple for the decision to ban Samsung devices.

 

[nia820]

It's great that Samsung are supporting the games, but this is just another blanket attempt on attacking Apple. Actually really disgusted.
Samsung should be better than this.

it is not an attack. if you are sponsoring an event you don't want your rival company's logo being shown. it is like if coke was sponsoring them they wouldn't want the athletes walking around drinking pepsi.

some of you folks need to get a grip. if apple was sponsoring an event in south korea they would probably have people cover their Samsung logos. it is called marketing.

 

[brinary001]

This is a joke, right? Some people just cannot admit defeat, can they?

 

[Max(IT)]

Yeah, fanboyism is rampant in this thread.

C'mon guys, we've all seen the TV shows and movies where the actor is clearing using an Apple product but the Apple logo is either covered up or edited out.

For that matter, other company logos too, not just Apple. Ever seen the villain drive a Ford SUV with a nondescript oval where the logo should be? Or a Toyota vehicle with no badge visible? On Stargate Atlantis they used what look like Dell Latitude D800 series laptops everywhere, but the rear panel is conveniently covered with an Atlantis crest where the Dell logo should be.

What if it was Apple that had sponsored the Olympics and decreed "no Samsung logos visible please"? The tone in this thread would be far, far different.

It's different.
Samsung is the event sponsor. Period.
Samsung isn't the athletes personal sponsor.
They didn't sign a contract with Samsung.

If an athlete own his personal smartphone, an iPhone, Samsung couldn't force he to hide it.

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Anyone with half a brain is going to recognize an iPhone or iPad. It's going to look even more obvious with those logos covered up.

This.
A Samesung phone with a sticker is just another droid ... An iPhone with a sticker is, well, an iPhone with a sticker

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In the NFL players aren't allowed to wear anything with a logo of a non NFL sponsor or they get fined. This is quite common in the sporting world. Of course the only reason it is being discussed is because it is Samsung.

We are not speaking about athletes wearing an Apple tshirt.
We are speaking about an athlete making a call, or taking a picture, with his personal iPhone.

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It's not that bad. You should have seen some of the control freakery around the London Olympics. Besides, your average athlete isn't necessarily made of money, and the Note 3 is a pretty cool device. The quid quo pro suggested is only going to upset the most fanatical Apple fan.

Note 3 is a cool device ? In what parallel dimension ?
If I'm an iPhone user, I'd like to take with me a smartphone, especially when I'm on the go, wearing only pants and a t-shirt, or a tracksuit, not a ridiculously huge device that "try-to-do-anything-including-the-coffee" ....

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Show me one Apple devices that ressembles to the Samsung Note III

Fortunately none !
Apple still know what a smartphone is ...

 

[D-Dave]

I would think that Samsung should have to pay 2 to 3 times more for a special "exclusive" sponsorship.

Pretty sure they do...thats how sponsorship works...

 

[Max(IT)]

the IOC rule 40 stands in place whether it is samsung sponsoring or not.

this is Macrumors.

throw a Samsung title in a post and you are guaranteed to have angry fanboy frothing at the mouth about how samsung is corrupt, immoral or evil.

this rule would still be in place if it were LG, or Microsoft, or even Apple sponsoring events.

This is Macrumors.

Throw a Samsung title in a post and you will have angry "ANDROID STRONG SUPPORTER" desperately defending their beloved brand.

I say again: THE RULE IS FOR SPONSORSHIP, NOT FOR PERSONAL ITEMS OWNED BY ATHLETES.

It's not like a sprinter is running 100 mt with his iPhone in his hand.

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But Android is 80% of the market!?!

Oh yes, be sure all the Chinese athletes will carry a Samsung cheap smartphone .... Oh, I stand corrected: they will use the brand new Note 3, since it way better than their personal galaxy Ace

And they'll need a backpack just for the phone

 

[macduke]

Hey IOC, I've fixed that quote for you!

“Protecting athletes is of paramount importance because, without them, there could be no Games.”

 

[Max(IT)]

I would imagine most people don't give two hoots that Samsung asked for Apple logos to be covered up.

The average person on the street isn't going to change their purchasing decision to not buy Samsung because of this story.

But yes - Samsung should give a phone to the athletes. It wouldn't cost Samsung much money.

Oh yes, Samsung should have plenty of Note 3 in their stock ... And they are going to release the next fabulous Note 4 with a brilliant 42" display and a new Wacom Magician StickTM

 

[szw-mapple fan]

Does it really matter? Apple's Products are so iconic that people will recognise it with or without the logo.

 

[D-Dave]

I seriously don't know why when it comes to Apple products, everyone knows what components are used in them. The truth of the matter is, they are Apple products, regardless of the components used in them, and you guys (am looking at you AppleScruff1) know it very well, but you try to spin it your way for years now.

In other words you guys are saying that Leonardo Da Vinci should not be fully credited for his Mona Lisa masterpiece because he most likely used brushes and paints he did not made himself!

Get real you guys.

I don't think you get the point AppleScruff1 is making... you state that you will not be able to watch the olympics because samsung is one of the main sponsors ... and that realy is like your da vinci example...

This is a joke, right? Some people just cannot admit defeat, can they?

Hmmm....not sure who has been defeated....Apple? Samsung? The Olympic Games?
Apple: not likely, they make loads of money with a stable marketshare
Samsung: not likely, they make loads of money (smaller loads but, I would still gladly add that to my income)
Olympic Games: possibly for having lost any form of integrity and the connection to what the games once stood for... Ever since the 1984 "commercialisation" games it's been downhill from something with a meaning (you know...peace, understanding, embracing other cultures...those silly non-comercial ideas) towards a full blown PR-Event...
RIP Olympics, may Samaranch get what he deserves for killing you!

 

[slattery69]

But nobody likes to be told what to do, or how to conduct themselves, much less have their free expression or speech curtailed for commercial purposes no less.

melodramatic much.

what are there free expressions , the freedom to par take in an olympic opening and closing ceremony whilst holding a phone without a sticker over the logo?

 

[Max(IT)]

I think the problem arose was not that they use the iPhones as their personal devices, but HOW they are using them.

A big issue that the IOC has, and probably what Samsung is taking issue with is namely what occurs during Opening and Closing ceremonies.

You have Athletes who are paraded through the concourse and stadium infront of thousands of people, Then in front of Mllions of people on Live tv.

These athletes are standing there, holding their phones up, above their heads, to get their own perspective filmed. But unfortunately, in doing this, they prominantly display whatever badging and logos are on their devices to the world. its prominently displayed on TV.

This gets free tv time and airing and sponsorship for i-devices, despite apple not paying anything to the IOC or the Olympics at all.

All that Samsung and IOC has asked, is that during these competitions, Cover the logo so that it is not being prominently displayed, especially while being televised.

They're not asking anyone to change devices. They're just saying "COVER THE LOGO!"

and to be perfectly fair and honest.

I dont think any athlete, while performing their sport, or marching in the olympics should be walking around brandishing a mobile device.

Leave the photography to the experts. instead, March with your team, Being loud and proud. show your solidarity with your country mates.

not walking around holding your cell phone in everyones faces. Thats just rude. I would like to see the IOC and countries ban their athletes from carrying any mobile device (especially one not related to their sport) into the buildings.

Sure ?
Wrong !
Lots of athletes using phones and taking pictures during the National Parade.
But Samesung is so scared and insecure about their products that want athletes to hide the easily noticeable Apple's devices

 

[thekeyring]

If they really believe their devices are better than Apple's, giving everyone a free phone would be enough.

 

[kaielement]

This:
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1992-08-09/sports/1992222100_1_reebok-nike-jordan-put

 

[MacsRgr8]

Difference is it doesn't appear that Samsung is sponsoring individual athletes. In that case Samsung really shouldn't have a say in what phone the athletes are using. I remember during the London Olympics athletes were given S3's but you still saw plenty of them holding up iPhones in the crowd. My guess is there is no way to really enforce this.

That could be a tough one...
What if, say, Nike were the main sponsor, but Adidas sponsors some athletes themselves? I'm sure they cannot enforce any "cover-up" (of the logos) then.

Problem is that Samsung is trying to cover stuff that the athletes and others actually bought themselves.
Would you cover your Apple-logo on your iPhone if Samsung paid you to do so?
- Depends who much. But it kinda "feels" unethical. Cheap.

If the BBC use iPads when making a broadcast, will those logos be covered?
- Yes, they will as they are all part of the sponsorship deal. But some people will still notice the "cover-up".

Whatever way you see it... Samsung seems to need to request people who use non-Samsung stuff to cover logos, and the request itself hints at lacking in self confidence.

If I see many covered-up logos during the opening ceremony, I will have a huge laugh . Can't wait!

 

[Max(IT)]

Good. Apple has enough money. They do not need the advertising.

It's not about the money.
It's about the appeal.

And Apple has more of both ....

 

[johnnyinternets]

Throw a Samsung title in a post and you will have angry fandroids desperately defending their beloved brand.

Aaaannnnnnndddd that's where you lost all credibility......

 

[Tech198]

uh

This is just down right spoiled... Just because Samsung are out to get Apple with what court battles and such.....

I dunno, maybe if Apple was a Sponsor, and athletes were caring a Samsung phone, Apple would asks them to cover if up too, just because "Their a sponsor"

Talk about a wreck... Who really cares what phone they carry, its their choice...

Unfortunately, Samsung being a cry baby, and need to understand this. Maybe Apple too for that matter...


Besides, your not their just to see a Apple device...