Chen Yu, vice president of Lenovo Group, speaks at the launching ceremony of ZUK Z2 Rio version in Beijing on July 27, 2016. (Photo/Provided to chinadaily.com.cn)
Even though Rio 2016 is "Made in Brazil", the Olympic Games is going to definitely see a lot of "Made in China". From Olympics mascot, security check equipment and air-conditioning installations to sports equipment, Chinese brands are the main engine.
As the world's attention shifts to Rio, Chinese brands are riding the Olympics wave through big-ticket sponsorship and marketing deals. Different Olympics-related products are making appearances aiming to cash-in on the big game.
Here are some of the Chinese brands to look out for during the summer Olympics.
361 Degrees International Limited
Domestic sports brand 361 Degrees has bagged an exclusive deal to supply official clothing to all the Rio 2016 volunteers, technicians and people who participate in the Olympics torch relay.
This deal has made 361 Degrees the first Chinese sports brand to sponsor summer Olympics as well as Paralympics Games.
The firm's designer apparel comes in four colors: green, yellow, blue and red, representing the colors of the Rio 2016 logo.
At the Rio Olympic and Paralympics Games, 361 Degrees will receive rights to initiate marketing and promotional activities with other sponsors.
In addition, 361 Degrees will sponsor the Chinese national swimming and cycling teams, including athletes such as Sun Yang, Ning Zetao, Ye Shi Wen. Besides, delegates from Greece and South Africa, and the Chinese Paralympics contingent will be wearing its products.
Lenovo Group
ZUK, one of Lenovo Group's smartphone brands founded last year, launched a product tailored for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Beijing.
The ZUK Z2 Rio version is a small-screen flagship, equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 processor and 3GB RAM and 32GB ROM.
Priced at 1,599 yuan ($240), the online subscription has begun and first shipment will be made on August 2.
"ZUK Z2 has been one of the most cost-effective smartphone products on the market. With the approaching Rio Games, the Z2 Rio version will offer users more tailored Olympic products and services," said Chen Yu, vice-president of Lenovo Group who is in charge of mobile product development.
During the Olympic Games, about 100 journalists will use the Z2 Rio version to file on-the-spot reports, Chen added.
For the convenience of users who will travel to Brazil to watch the events, the Z2 Rio version supports the networks of all five major carriers there and provides unlimited transfers at the price of 25 yuan per day.
Li Ning Co
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has signed a sponsorship deal with leading Chinese sports apparel manufacturing firm Li Ning for the games. It is the biggest apparel sponsorship deal the IOA has signed so far.
