Visa Shares Sponsored 2016 Athletes -- Sponsor Spotlight

(ATR) Visa will sponsor 33 global athletes ahead of the 2016 Olymipcs as part of the Team Visa program.

As part of the activation, 25 athletes travelled to San Francisco, California to take part in the "Team Visa Summit" at the company’s headquarters.

The 33 Olympians and Paralympians come from all over the world including Carli Lloyd a footballer from the United States, Emanuel Rego a beach volleyballer from Brazil, Ryan Cochrane a swimmer from Canada, Daiya Seto a swimmer from Japan, and Yana Kudryavtseva a gymnast from Russia.

"For me, the support I receive from my fiancé, friends, coaches, teammates and sponsors, like Visa, is critical to my success and I’m so thankful that it has allowed me to pursue my goals," Carli Lloyd said in a statement.

"I’m excited to join Team Visa and the more than 30 other world-class athletes as we prepare for Rio 2016."

The summit showcased the new technology that Visa will be releasing at the Games such as Samsung Pay and Visa Checkout, and the biometric and wearable technologies the company is developing.

At the summit, Visa executives said they believe the wearable technology they are developing will serve at the "intersection of sports and technology."

"Whether you’re competing in the Olympic Games or a passionate spectator on the sidelines, Visa will help you experience the latest ways to pay," Jim McCarthy, executive vice president of innovation and strategic partnership at Visa, said in a statement.

"The Rio 2016 Olympic Games will feature the latest technology and payment innovations that will enhance the Olympic experience for athletes, fans, cardholders and clients."

Visa has been a TOP Sponsor for the Olympic Games since 1986 and is signed on through the 2020 Games in Tokyo.

Written by Aaron Bauer in Rio de Janeiro

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