LIN DAN WINS THE “SAMSUNG MVP AWARD FOR THE 16th ASIAN GAMES”

Chinese badminton star Lin Dan was honored to be voted as the Samsung MVP (Most Valuable Player) for the 16^th Asian Games. The Samsung MVP Award is a prestigious award endorsed by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee (GAGOC).

Lin Dan received the highest number of votes from the more than 2,000 accredited media who cast their ballots from November 22 to 25 at the Main Press Center in Guangzhou. The Samsung MVP Award steering committee, comprised of OCA, GAGOC, media, former athletes and Samsung Electronics, Prestige Partner of the Asian Games, confirmed the results of the vote.

Samsung MVP Award winner Lin Dan will be given the MVP trophy, the latest Samsung 3D LED television and $50,000 in prize money

Lin Dan gave an outstanding and passionate performance during the 16^th Asian Games, winning two gold medals for China’s men’s badminton team. His singles gold medal in Guangzhou gave him a “Career Grand Slam”, which included wins at the Beijing Olympic Games, World Badminton Championships (2006, 2007 and 2009), All England Open Badminton Championships, Sudirman Cup, Thomas Cup, Badminton Asia Championships and the Badminton World Cup.

Mr. SangSuk Roh, President of Samsung Levant said: “This prestigious award expresses Samsung’s appreciation to athletes for their extraordinary performance. Samsung is keen to support sports in all event and occasions, in which, this award reaffirm our commitment to be part of the different global sports events.”

“The Samsung MVP Steering Committee is proud to honor Lin Dan with the Samsung MVP Award in recognition of his sportsmanship, drive for excellence and outstanding performance at the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games,” said Mr. Manuel Silverio, Chairman of the Media Committee, Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

“With the exceptional performance of Samsung MVP award winner, Lin Dan, and the sportsmanship displayed by all athletes, the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games has been a tremendous success,” said Mr. Xu Ruisheng, Executive Deputy Secretary General of the Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee (GAGOC) and Vice Mayor of Guangzhou. “The Samsung MVP Award is the highest honor we present to an athlete at the Asian Games and Lin Dan’s performance has truly inspired us all.”

The Samsung MVP Award was first introduced by OCA and Samsung in Bangkok 1998 as a contribution to the success of the Asian Games and its commitment to excellence. Since then, Samsung has continued the tradition of recognizing the athlete who has achieved outstanding accomplishments during the Asian Games.

“I give my sincere congratulations to Lin Dan, the Samsung MVP Award winner,” said Mr. Gyehyun Kwon, Vice President and Head of Worldwide Sports Marketing at Samsung Electronics. “The Samsung MVP Award Steering Committee respects the results of the vote conducted among accredited media. We appraised that Lin Dan had an exemplary performance in Guangzhou and has consistently played at a world-class level since 2003, which meets the MVP selection criteria.”

The Samsung MVP Award winner and finalists need to meet significant criteria. Outstanding candidates have won multiple gold medals at the 16^th Asian Games, are world record breakers and Asian Games record breakers, successive Asian Games gold medalists and other outstanding or exemplary performers.

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