Samsung Electronics unveiled its Team Samsung Galaxy roster for the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games on January 8, 2026. The global tech giant, a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner, named 68 athletes representing 17 countries across nine winter sports disciplines. The announcement brings back Samsung’s “Open always wins” campaign theme that debuted at Paris 2024.
What’s New
Samsung officially confirmed the complete Team Samsung Galaxy roster featuring athletes from snowboarding, speed skating, skiing, bobsleigh, cross-country skiing, figure skating, curling, biathlon, and skeleton. The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will run from February 6-22, 2026, with the Paralympic Winter Games following from March 6-15, 2026.
Notable team members include two-time figure skating World Champion Ilia Malinin (USA), Olympic freestyle skiing champion Alex Hall (USA), double Olympic snowboard gold medalist Anna Gasser (Austria), and double Olympic short track speed skating champion Minjeong Choi (South Korea). Italy hosts the largest contingent with multiple athletes competing on home soil, including snowboarder Ian Matteoli and freestyle skiing siblings Miro and Flora Tabanelli.
The roster spans both Olympic and Paralympic sports, featuring Paralympic champions like Arthur Bauchet (France) in para alpine skiing and Mike Schultz (USA) in para snowboard. Samsung selected each athlete based on personal journeys that embody openness both in competition and everyday life.
Why It Matters
Samsung’s athlete sponsorship program directly connects technology brands with Olympic audiences ahead of one of winter sports’ biggest events. The company has maintained its Worldwide Olympic Partner status since the Nagano 1998 Winter Games. The partnership extends through 2028, covering all Olympic and Youth Olympic Games.
The “Open always wins” theme positions Samsung’s mobile technology as a tool for athlete storytelling and fan engagement during the Games. Sophia Kim, VP and Head of Experience Marketing Group at Samsung Electronics, stated the campaign aims to “help bring athletes and fans closer together and make moments more connected”. Samsung provides Limited Olympic Edition Galaxy phones to all participating Olympic and Paralympic athletes through its Athlete Phone Program.
For Milano Cortina 2026, this marks the first Winter Olympics officially co-hosted by two cities, with Milan handling ice events and Cortina hosting mountain sports. Samsung’s roster includes multiple Italian athletes competing on home turf, creating localized marketing opportunities in a key European market.
Athlete Spotlight: How Openness Defines Performance
Team Samsung Galaxy members embody the “Open always wins” philosophy through distinct personal narratives that extend beyond competition results.
Ian Matteoli made history as the first snowboarder to land a frontside 2160 in competition. The Italian rider returned from serious injury through what he describes as an “open mindset” that helped him “come back stronger, more creative and more connected” to the sport. Competing at home in Milano Cortina adds special significance to his Olympic journey.
Mike Schultz redesigned his athletic career after a life-changing accident by engineering his own prosthetic device. The three-time Paralympic medalist and multiple World Champion credits “staying open to new ideas and using technology” for his return to elite para snowboard competition. He specifically referenced digital health platforms in supporting his training approach.
Alex Hall blends freestyle skiing with filmmaking through his ski film brand documenting urban and backcountry skiing. Raised across Zurich and Park City, the Olympic champion brings a global perspective to technical sports performance. His approach combines “sports, art and storytelling” as creative outlets that prevent mental fatigue.
Minjeong Choi returns to Team Samsung Galaxy after representing the program at Beijing 2022. The Women’s 1,500m double Olympic champion and world record holder focuses on inspiring young speed skaters through sustained excellence and continuous evolution. Her leadership demonstrates how openness fuels longevity in elite sports.
Team Samsung Galaxy by the Numbers
| Model | GPU | CPU | RAM | Display | Weight | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Razer Blade 18 | RTX 5090 | Core Ultra 9 275HX | 32GB | 18″ Dual-Mode | 7.1 lbs | ₹4,50,000+ | Maximum performance |
| MSI Titan 18 HX AI | RTX 5090 | Core Ultra 9 275HX | 96GB | 18″ UHD+ 120Hz | 8.8 lbs | ₹5,50,000+ | Professional workflows |
| Acer Predator Triton 14 AI | RTX 5070 | Core Ultra 9 288V | 32GB | 14″ OLED Touch | 3.5 lbs | ₹1,65,000 | Portable power |
| Gigabyte Aorus 16X | RTX 4070 | Core i7-14650HX | 32GB | 16″ QHD+ 165Hz | 5.7 lbs | ₹1,39,990 | Mid-range value |
| Asus TUF Gaming A14 | RTX 4060 | Ryzen 9 7940HS | 16GB | 14″ FHD 144Hz | 3.22 lbs | ₹1,15,000 | Ultraportable gaming |
| MSI Katana 15 HX | RTX 5050 | Core i7-14700HX | 16GB | 15.6″ FHD 144Hz | 5.3 lbs | ₹84,990 | Budget gaming |
Samsung’s Olympic Partnership History
Samsung began Olympic involvement as a local sponsor at Seoul 1988 before becoming a Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Wireless Communications Equipment category at Nagano 1998. The partnership extends through Los Angeles 2028 and includes all Youth Olympic Games through 2028.
The company’s current partnership covers wireless communications equipment and computing equipment, including promotion of AI, VR, AR, and 5G features. Samsung’s Athlete Phone Program provides customized Galaxy devices to all Olympic and Paralympic athletes to enhance Games-time experiences and help them capture and share their journeys.
At Paris 2024, Samsung assembled over 25 Team Samsung Galaxy Olympians and Paralympians, including athletes from newer Olympic sports like skateboarding, surfing, and breaking. The Milano Cortina 2026 roster significantly expands that number to 68 winter sport specialists.
What’s Next
Samsung will release additional “Open always wins” campaign content and athlete stories as Milano Cortina 2026 approaches. The Opening Ceremony takes place February 6, 2026, with preliminary competitions in curling, ice hockey, and freestyle skiing starting earlier.
Team Samsung Galaxy athletes will share behind-the-scenes content documenting their training journeys and competition experiences using Samsung mobile technology. The company plans various activations throughout the Games to connect athletes with global fan communities.
Expect Samsung to announce specific product integrations and Limited Olympic Edition Galaxy phone details for Milano Cortina 2026 in coming weeks, following the Athlete Phone Program model established at previous Games. The Paralympic Winter Games roster will continue competing through March 15, 2026.
Featured Snippet Boxes
How many athletes are in Team Samsung Galaxy for Milano Cortina 2026?
Team Samsung Galaxy features 68 athletes from 17 countries competing across nine winter sports disciplines. The roster includes both Olympic and Paralympic athletes representing snowboarding, skiing, speed skating, figure skating, and other winter sports.
When do the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics start?
The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 run February 6-22, 2026, with the Opening Ceremony on February 6. The Paralympic Winter Games follow from March 6-15, 2026. Preliminary events in curling, ice hockey, and freestyle skiing begin before the Opening Ceremony.
What does Samsung’s “Open always wins” campaign mean?
“Open always wins” reflects Samsung’s belief that an open mindset creates possibilities in sports and life. The theme, first introduced at Paris 2024, focuses on how athletes use openness through creativity, resilience, and willingness to explore new approaches both on and off the field.
How long has Samsung been an Olympic partner?
Samsung became a Worldwide Olympic Partner at the 1998 Nagano Winter Games after initially sponsoring Seoul 1988 as a local partner. The current partnership extends through 2028, covering all Olympic Games, Youth Olympic Games, and Paralympic Games.
