Appointment ceremony taking place during the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026
Ambassadors selected from Sport & Tech and Accessibility & Environment categories represent the best of innovation for the sake of community betterment
Samsung Electronics, a Worldwide Mobile and Computing Equipment Partner of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), announced the official selection of 10 global Solve for Tomorrow Ambassador teams as part of its ongoing corporate citizenship initiatives.
The announcement was made in Milan, where the ambassador program announcement is being held in conjunction with the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. The three-day program runs from Feb. 8–10 and includes an appointment ceremony, a solution exhibition and networking activities.
Solve for Tomorrow is Samsung’s global problem-solving platform that supports young people in developing innovative STEM-based solutions to address local and global challenges. This year’s global ambassadors were selected from winning teams of Solve for Tomorrow regional competitions around the world, with the final selection being made through a joint evaluation by Samsung and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) based on the innovation, scalability and social impact of each solution. The 10 selected teams are divided into two focus areas — Sport & Tech, and Accessibility & Environment — with five teams chosen in each category.
As part of the Ambassador program, each selected team will receive funding, along with up to two years of continued support from Samsung to help transform their prototypes into commercially viable products. Five teams in the Sport & Tech category will be jointly supported by Samsung and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
During the ceremony, two Solve for Tomorrow alumni — Danielle Yang, a Samsung Solve For Tomorrow Ambassador in Sport & Tech, and Simon Cénet of Team Liova from France — shared personal stories and insights on youth innovation and the real-world impact of their projects.
Yang, who has a hearing disability herself, explained her motivation for participating in the program, stating, “I joined Samsung Solve for Tomorrow to address the challenges I experienced in my daily life.” She added, “With the support of Samsung Electronics and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), I am truly honored and delighted to have the opportunity to share my idea with the world, even on the Olympic stage.”
“Through Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, I gained the confidence that my idea can create positive change in society,” said İrem Erden, an Ambassador from Türkiye who won a regional competition with OilSorb, a marine oil spill response solution that utilizes reusable wool-based oil absorption pads and drones. “As a selected ambassador, I will strive to inspire more generations.”
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Sustainable Innovation in Sport & Tech
Held under the theme “Sport & Tech,” the aim of Samsung’s 2026 Ambassador program is to empower youth to drive sustainable innovation through the intersection of sports, technology and leadership. The official appointment ceremony took place at Samsung House in Milan and was attended by approximately 80 global stakeholders, including IOC President Kirsty Coventry; Jae Youl Kim, IOC Executive Board Member and President of Samsung Global Research; Olympism 365 Commission Chair Auvita Rapilla; Olympism 365 Commission Member Nawal El Moutawakel; and Won-Jin Lee, President and Head of Global Marketing at Samsung Electronics; and Simon Sung, President and CEO Samsung Electronics Europe.
Commitment moment in the appointment ceremony underscored the shared commitment of Samsung and the IOC to jointly nurturing future talent and empowering young people to help shape a better world. This commitment was brought to life through a stage performance in which the composite logos of both organizations were brought together by unfolding and overlapping the Galaxy Z TriFold, completing the visual composition. The act of opening the Galaxy Z TriFold symbolically represented the expansion of ideas and potential, as well as the shared belief of Samsung and the IOC in opening new possibilities as young people step forward to lead the future.
“The projects are truly inspiring: full of creativity, imagination, and passion to make a real difference. You’re using technology to shape a future that is more inclusive, more sustainable, healthier and more active,” said IOC President Coventry. “I am especially excited to see the first-ever Sport & Tech winners — combining sport, technology, and problem-solving in ways that can truly change lives.”
“Through Solve for Tomorrow and our collaboration with the IOC, we are creating environments where young people can discover their strengths, express their ideas, and contribute meaningfully to society,” said Global Marketing Head Lee. “We are not only supporting innovation but also nurturing future leaders who will carry forward the values of excellence, respect, friendship — and creativity.”
Solution Exhibition and Innovation Workshop
On Feb. 9, the ambassador teams will showcase the solutions they developed at Smart City Lab in Milan and attend an innovation-themed workshop led by the IOC’s Olympism365 Innovation Hub that will equip the ambassadors with the skills to be an innovator of sustainable development in the world of sports. The exhibition will be attended by representatives from the IOC, the Milano Cortina 2026 Organizing Committee and various Italian government agencies.
On Feb. 10, the ambassadors will take part in a series of on-site programs and official activities, as well as a visit to the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Village. Through these experiences, Samsung is supporting the ambassadors in deepening their understanding of sports, technology and the meaning of the Olympic Games and the Olympic spirit.
Details regarding the 10 newly selected Solve for Tomorrow Ambassador teams and their projects are as follows:
The Five Sport & Tech Ambassador Teams
Australia | TeamUp: Ahan Khiani
An AI-based platform that connects individuals with local sports teams and communities to increase participation in recreational sports.
Indonesia | Run Sight: Anthony Edbert Feriyanto
A wearable AI solution that helps people with visual impairments safely participate in running and other physical activities by detecting lanes and obstacles.
Türkiye | Poseidon: Umut Devrim Deveci
A swimming safety system for visually impaired users that provides vibration alerts through a wristband when approaching boundaries or obstacles.
Great Britain | Curastep: Raye Woon
Smart sneakers equipped with sensors to detect early signs of blister formation in people with diabetes and encourage safe physical activity.
United States | Storm Shield: Danielle Yang
A protective sports headband designed to shield hearing aids from moisture, impact and environmental damage during physical activity.
The Five Accessibility and Environment Ambassador Teams
China | Furen Makers: Chenyue Wang
A brainwave-controlled wheelchair designed to support people with ALS and physical disabilities in mobility, rehabilitation and sports participation.
France | Liova: Simon Cénet
A reusable battery production kit that transforms discarded smartphone batteries into portable power banks to reduce electronic waste.
India | Paraspeak: Pranet Khetan
A cloud-based AI solution that converts unclear speech into clear pronunciation in real time for people with speech impairments.
Türkiye | Oilsorb: İrem Erden
A sustainable oil spill response solution using reusable wool-based oil absorption pads and drone technology to address marine pollution.
United States | Aqua-Gel: Arya Anilkumar
An AI-powered smart bandage that monitors wound healing in real time and supports early infection detection through sensor data.
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