The USOC announced today that it’s made Twitter the exclusive social media platform of USA House, Team USA’s business, hospitality and marketing center at the Rio Games.
Twitter has built out the “Red, White and #BlueRoom” at the facility on Ipanema Beach, where it will produce social content with athletes and fans, including live Periscope streams from inside the invite-only house. The parties will use the @TeamUSA account to act as a second screen for viewers of NBCUniversal’s Olympics coverage, publishing features from throughout Rio on Twitter, Vine and Periscope.
“Twitter was a natural fit for us to collaborate with inside USA House,” said Brian Gordon, USOC managing director of marketing and broadcasting. "Our social activity will be amplified during the Games, and Twitter allows our fans to check in on Team USA in small doses and interact with our handle in real time.
This same agreement was already in play on July 23 when the USOC used Periscope to broadcast its ceremony officially naming the Olympic team.
On Tuesday, Twitter disclosed its full Olympic plans, including the creation of custom country emojis triggered by certain hashtags, like #TeamUSA and country-by-country customizable “Moments” stories. Separately, competitor Facebook also launched new features designed to encourage Olympic posting and discussion.
