Celebrate the Summer Games with SMS bots built on Twilio

Celebrate the Summer Games with SMS bots built on Twilio

With the 2021 Summer Games, all eyes are on Japan for a month of competition and camaraderie. At a time when we’re feeling so separated, most of us are looking forward to a moment that connects us and rooting for a common goal. The Games look very different this year, and a few developers here at Twilio found a unique way to celebrate by building projects inspired by the athletes and events. These simple bots use Twilio products to help everyone learn more about the athletes, countries and history of the Big Games.

Which discontinued Big Games event should you play?

Built by: Kevin Whinnery

Throughout the history of the Big Games, athletes have medaled in well-known competitions such as skiing, swimming, and gymnastics. But  they’ve also achieved worldwide fame as competitors in Skijoring, Pigeon Racing, and Tug of War. While these events are no longer played at the Big Games, we can still dream about which less-well-known event we might have medaled in.

A person on skis being pulled by a horse in a 2009 Skijoring event in Leadville, Colorado. Photo by Kaila Angello

Text the following number, (a simple ‘hello’ should be enough to kick this off) and answer a few multiple choice questions to find out which discontinued Big Games event is best suited to your personality. Maybe you’ll learn a bit more about the history of the games, or rediscover a long-sublimated interest in solo synchronized swimming.

• US: +1 (651) 240-2785
• UK: +44(0)7830317175
• France: +33 (0)7 57 59 14 00

Switch up your comparisons to feature the world’s best athletes

Built by: Christine Sunu

We’ve all heard the phrase ‘as fast as a cheetah,’ and it’s over-used to say the least. In the spirit of the Games this summer, use this bot to mix up the analogies you use while honoring some of the best athletes in the world. Compliment your friends and coworkers for completing tasks “as fast as Rebecca Soni swimming in the 200m breaststroke in 2012,” or for their quarterly projections that are “as precise as Jin Jong-oh shooting in the 50m pistol final in 2016.”

Speedier than Tyler Clary swimming in the 200 m backstroke in 2012

To start impressing your colleagues and friends with your unique comparisons and knowledge of the Games, text the correct number for your country below. A simple ‘hello’ will start up the bot, but you can also kick it off by texting an adjective such as “fast” or “precise” and you’ll receive a comparison immediately.

• US: +1 (326) 266-7273 (1-326-COMPARE)
• UK: +44 7427 582960
• France: +33 (0)7 57 59 00 67

For more Twilio projects, check out Ahoy or follow our developer account on Twitter. You can also check out the Twilio Community Forums or join us for SIGNAL, Twilio’s Customer & Developer Conference (This link can get you signed up for a SIGNAL 2021 All-Access ticket with 15% off)