From the lighting of the Paralympic flame on August 28, the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games have been casting a remarkable focus on how the fundamental values of the Paralympic Movement – perseverance, equality, inspiration, and bravery – can propel the world forward.
Aligned with this ethos, Samsung Electronics distributed nearly 5,000 Galaxy Z Flip6 Olympic Edition smartphones to all participating athletes to enrich the “Games Wide Open” experience. Packed with a suite of pre-loaded apps and powered by Galaxy AI and accessibility features, the new device underscores Samsung’s belief in technology’s potential to foster a more inclusive world.
At the Paralympic Games, Samsung welcomed athletes to the Olympic™ rendezvous @ Samsung | Village Plaza pop-up experience to introduce them to the latest Galaxy AI and accessibility features – showcasing how these tools can enhance both their Games-time and daily experiences like never before.
One notable feature athletes explored was the Interpreter, a tool that bridges language gaps through real-time translations driven by Galaxy AI. A vital asset for interaction with fellow athletes globally, Interpreter has been simplifying communication at Paris 2024.
After a session with Samsung’s product experts, Wesley Kimeli Sang (Para Athletics, Kenya) shared his thoughts on how Interpreter could facilitate better connections with athletes from diverse linguistic backgrounds. Sang stated, “Interpreter can assist us in many ways as sometimes we face communication barriers with others. This tool allows us to converse fluently in our own language while being understood in their native tongues.”
Athletes also delved into Bixby Vision for accessibility, a tool that aids visually impaired users by verbally describing their surroundings. With features like Scene Describer, Object Identifier, Text Reader, and Color Detector, Bixby Vision offers a comprehensive visual experience for users with varying needs.
Kada Boualia (Goalball, France) praised Bixby Vision’s potential impact, especially in sports designed for the visually impaired like Goalball. Boualia emphasized the assistance Bixby Vision provides in describing environments, streamlining processes that previously relied on external apps.
Galaxy Z Flip6 Olympic Edition’s Flex Mode was utilized by athletes at the Olympic™ rendezvous @ Samsung | Village Plaza to capture and share special moments effortlessly. Through functions like ‘Show Palm’ and voice commands, athletes immortalized their Paris 2024 memories, strengthening bonds with friends and teammates.
For Desirée Vila (Para Athletics, Spain), the Selfie Zone at the rendezvous was a gateway to newfound methods of capturing and sharing photos efficiently. Vila highlighted the convenience of features like ‘Show Palm’ for group pictures, eliminating the need for manual operations and ensuring seamless photo-sharing experiences.
Using Galaxy AI’s Circle to Search and Browsing Assist features, athletes uncovered hidden treasures in Paris, maximizing their time in the host city. Accessibility features like Magnification, which enhances readability for users with low vision, further supported athletes in navigating their daily lives.
Martin Clobert (Paralympic Marathon, Belgium) emphasized the significance of technology for individuals with visual impairments. Clobert highlighted how features like Magnification simplify tasks such as reading and social media posting, enhancing daily routines for visually impaired users.
From exquisite sporting achievements to the profound impact of inclusivity, the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games have been a testament to the unity fostered by sports in society. As a Global Paralympic Partner, Samsung remains dedicated to driving inclusive innovations accessible to all, fostering new horizons for para-athletes worldwide.
