Reuters: IOC clears Iran, North Korea for gift after Samsung phone row
DUBAI (Reuters) - Iranian and North Korean athletes at the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games will receive Samsung mobile phones, organizers said on Thursday, after Iran summoned South Korea’s ambassador over reports its athletes would not get the gifts.
News reports said 4,000 of the latest $1,100 Samsung smartphones were being given to athletes attending the Winter Games, but athletes from Iran and North Korea would be excluded because of sanctions against the two countries.
Responding to the furor, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said athletes from both countries would receive the phones but that the North Koreans would be asked not to take the devices home.
“The IOC will provide mobile phones to all athletes of all countries participating at the Olympic Winter Games Pyeongchang 2018. These phones contain essential logistical and competition information for the athletes,” an IOC spokesperson said.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: At the end of the day .... the Iranian athletes can keep their Samsung phones, and the North Koreans have decided to not accept the phones.
More News On Iran And North Korea Protesting That Their Olympic Athletes Will Not Be Given Samsung Smart Phones
Ahead of Olympics, Iran and South Korea spar over Samsung phones and sanctions -- Washington Post
North Korean athletes can’t take Olympic-edition Samsung phones home with them -- The Verge
N. Korea declines to accept conditional handout of Samsung phone -- Yonhap News Agency
Iranian athletes to receive Samsung phones without condition -- Yonhap News Agency
Samsung caught in storm over phones for Iran's Olympic team -- CNN
Iran is angry its athletes weren't offered smartphones at the Winter Olympics and now it's a problem -- Business Insider
