HTC Chief to Be Torchbearer for London 2012 Games

Samsung yesterday revealed that it's pairing up with Visa and releasing a special edition Galaxy S III. This official London 2012 handset will use Visa's mobile payments application and allow athletes sponsored by the two companies to pay for their purchases around London with their mobile phones. Not to be left behind this summer, rival HTC is also going to be taking part in the Olympic Games this summer.

HTC boss Peter Chou has confirmed that he will be among those that will relay the Olympic Torch from Greece to the host city in London. According to Taiwan News, Chou is being honored for his contributions to the development of the global mobile industry, as well as for his leadership in Taiwan's technology industry, and his role in bringing a Taiwanese brand to the international market. The CEO will take hold of the torch in London on July 6, three weeks before the opening ceremony of the 2012 Games.

"I'm honored to be named as one of the torchbearers of the London 2012 Olympic Games," Chou is quoted as saying. "While carrying the flame in the relay, every step I take will represent my deepest support for Taiwan's athletes attending the London 2012 Olympic Games," he added.

Chou is one of 8,000 torchbearers that will play a part in the traditional Torch Relay that sees the Olympic Torch lit in Greece (this is happening tomorrow, actually), before being transferred to the host country of the games. On the night of the opening ceremony, a final torchbearer uses the Olympic Torch to light the Olympic Flame, which burns throughout the entirety of the Olympic Games. The London 2012 Games will kick off on July 27 and carry on through until August 12.

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