Athletes participating in the Paris 2024 Olympics have been showcasing the high-tech swag they received for the games, especially the new Olympic-themed Samsung flip phones. Each athlete was given this phone, which is currently being sold online for £1,049. This year’s goodie bags also included toiletries, water bottles, and gift cards.
One standout athlete from Team GB, Imogen Grant, expressed her excitement about receiving the new phone after using her Tokyo Olympics phone daily until it started to break. The devices also have a special role in the Olympic medal ceremonies where athletes are encouraged to take a victory selfie after receiving their medals. These selfies are meant to help athletes create and share more personal memories of their podium celebrations.
Moreover, the swimming teams have been flaunting their high-tech gear, including swimsuits coated in a material used in space. The Australian team, for example, competes in swimsuits that are water repellent and designed to help athletes move faster in the water. However, these suits are incredibly tight, as seen in a video where the athletes tried to stretch them out.
Japan’s athletes, on the other hand, have been equipped with anti-infrared gear to combat the dark side of the internet. Female athletes from the country faced issues during the 2020 games when explicit images of them were circulated online using infrared cameras. In response, athletes in sports like volleyball, table tennis, and track and field are now competing in fabric that absorbs infrared light, similar to stealth aircraft technology.
Overall, the Paris 2024 Olympics have introduced a new wave of high-tech swag for athletes, from cutting-edge phones to innovative swimsuits and protective gear against privacy invasion. These advancements not only enhance the athlete’s performance but also ensure their safety and privacy in the digital age of sports.