Smash Brothers tournaments, watch parties and more: how these Austin companies are celebrating the Olympics

by Kelly O'Halloran
August 12, 2016

Scandal has rocked this year's Rio summer Olympics, but that hasn't stopped people from around the world from supporting the best athletes on a global stage. We checked in with four of Austin's tech companies to see how they're taking a break from the usual grind to have some fun celebrating the Olympic spirit and support our teams.

They shared what they're up to this week to get involved, what sports their executives like most and what sports they'd compete in as a company at the Olympics. 

 

How is your company celebrating the Olympics? 

"We've had the NBC Olympics Hub (which Spreadfast helped build) up on all of the screens at all the offices, and have had a lot of back and forth banter between our international offices in Sydney and London. Additionally, on Monday nights, we host Olympic-watch-parties, with beer and popcorn included, and naturally every morning starts with a water cooler recap from the previous night's events." — Jim Rudden, Chief Marketing Officer 

What are three of your executives favorite Olympic sports, and why? 

"Sprinting. It's what we do every day at Spredfast." — Rod Favaron, CEO
 
"Gymnastics, because we do backflips for our customers." — Virginia Miracle, Chief Customer Officer 
 
"Swimming, because it's anyone's game until the very last hundredth of a second." — Jim Rudden

If members of your team were to compete in an Olympic team sport, which one would it be, why?

"This is a big topic of great debate at our office, and there seems to be a trend leaning towards the lesser-known categories: dressage, power-walking, table-tennis. We have one team member who's adamant that she could be a judge. Like I said, it's a topic of great debate. " — Jim Rudden
 

How is your company celebrating the Olympics? 

"We've been streaming the games live all across the office. More importantly, we've just announced the First Annual TrendKite Olympics. Think things like synchronized ribbon dancing, Nerf gun archery and more! We’ll have an opening and closing ceremony, along with a medal ceremony at the end. LET THE GAMES BEGIN!" — Kelsey Press, Recruiting and New Employee Experience Manager 

What are your executives' favorite Olympic sports, and why? 

"Taekwondo. Although it has only been a full-medal sport since 2000, it’s a sport that requires tremendous agility, mental focus, and strategy to succeed in — all key elements for success in business and life, as well. And my children both study it, so when I watch it in the Olympics, I look forward to the possibility of seeing them compete one day." — Russ Somers, VP Marketing

"Volleyball. I’ve been playing since I was 11 and played competitively at Penn State. In 2008, I had the opportunity to play with the NCAA National Champion Penn State varsity team, which contained two members of the current men’s indoor olympic team." — Matt Allison, Co-Founder 

If members of your team were to compete in an Olympic team sport, which one would it be, why?

"We'd compete in synchronized swimming. It requires a ton of collaboration, teamwork, focus, and dedication to have an entire group in sync, working hard toward a common goal. It's a sport where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, which is much like TrendKite; we win or lose together and all take ownership in the role we play in the overall success of the company." — Kelsey Press

 

 

How is your company celebrating the Olympics? 

Sparefoot is also streaming the events for their employees throughout the work day

What are your executives' favorite Olympic sports, and why?

"Triathlon because how do they do that?" — Chuck Gordon, Co-Founder and CEO

"I was a nationally ranked swimmer in my youth so swimming would be the sport I'd go for. Either that or Rugby. " — Brett Billick, Chief Marketing Officer

"Synchronized swimming because the smooth motions give him a calm feeling." — Mario Feghali, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer (note: this response was provided by Chuck, not Mario)

If members of your team were to compete in an Olympic team sport, which one would it be, why?

"Basketball because we practice every week!" — Chuck Gordon

"I'm mostly just upset foosball isn't an Olympics sport." - Mario Feghali

 

How is your company celebrating the Olympics? 

"In honor of the Olympics, we're running a week long Olympic-style Super Smash Brothers tournament in the office. Each department nominates their best four players, then we have a round robin tournament that lasts through the end of the week. The finals will be on Friday where we will crown the gold medalist. We're also streaming all of the games online through their passion project Geek Powered Gaming, which uses competitive gaming to raise money for Austin charities." — Ariel Lopez, Human Resources Manager

What are three of your executives favorite Olympic sports, and why? 

"Skateboarding! I’m excited that the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo will include this awesome sport. I enjoyed skateboarding for four years and can’t wait to see it on the global stage." — Guillermo Ortiz, CEO 

“My favorite Olympic sport is any sport where the Latvian team is competing. My family is proud of our Latvian heritage, and it’s fun to see the Latvian team on the world stage. Most people have never even heard of Latvia!" — John Leo Weber, Director of Digital Marketing 

“What’s that sport where you ski and shoot rifles and then ski again? Yeah, that one is badass!" — Blaine Bowers, Director of Design 

If members of your team were to compete in an Olympic team sport, which one would it be, why?

"If we were competing in an Olympic sport, it would be synchronized diving.  The amount of precision that goes into two divers doing the same dive is impressive.  We operate in a collaborative environment where we are doing our best when we are working together and in sync with one another.  Plus synchronized diving is a little weird and quirky, which we can definitely relate to!" — Ariel Lopez

 
 
Images were provided by companies
 
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