As the world eagerly anticipates the Paris Olympics 2024, we're on the brink of a monumental fusion of tradition and innovation. This quadrennial event is an invitation to the world to come and experience new emotions together. Celebrated for its spectacular athletic prowess, it is also poised to become a showcase for groundbreaking technology and strategic partnerships. In this edition of our biweekly newsletter, we delve into the cutting-edge technological collaborations and the buzzworthy social media initiatives that are setting the stage for what could be the most innovative Olympics yet. Get ready to discover how the Paris Olympics is redefining the future of sports.

Broadcast Bonanza: Alibaba and the 30+ Media Rights Holders

Olympic Broadcasting Services, OBS, responsible for producing the live television, radio and digital coverage as the Games’ host broadcaster, is ready to deliver “Games of a new era” by introducing new innovations designed to transport fans to the heart of the action. This reflects Paris 2024’s vision of hosting “Games Wide Open”, with coverage set to be the most immersive in Olympic history.

This year, expect a broadcasting revolution. The IOC’s OBS, in collaboration with over 30 Media Rights Holders (MRHs), is set to produce an astonishing event.

Content is King

More than 11,000 hours of content – up from 10,200 at Tokyo 2020 – will be broadcast and will tell the stories of the world’s best athletes in new ways, while also capturing the vibrant atmosphere in France and its capital city. Combined with behind-the-scenes footage, athlete and coach interviews, and comprehensive pre and post-competition coverage, fans will be able to get even closer to the Games, across all platforms.

In order to enhance the storytelling of the Games, OBS will introduce cinematic lenses for the first time. These cine-style cameras, with a shallow depth of field, will draw viewers into the intensity of the sporting competition – capturing athletes’ emotions, fans’ reactions and the incredible atmosphere in the stands, in a way that has never been seen before in Olympic Games’ coverage.

Data is the new oil?

A combination of live data and new technologies will give fans a thrilling display of athletes’ performances in minute detail. Enhanced by dynamic, data-driven graphics and a multitude of camera angles for replays, the viewers' experience will be transformed, immersing them in their favourite sports.

This technological advancement not only offers a deeper appreciation for the dedication of Olympians, but also provides a window into their performance through rich, meaningful data. For instance, viewers will be able to see intricate details such as a diver's jump height, the duration of air time, and their speed when entering the water. Similarly, in sports like tennis, it allows spectators to understand the lightning-quick reactions of players when faced with a serve.

The use of Alibaba’s cloud-based technology enables OBS to achieve “more with less”, offering Media Rights-Holders smarter, more agile and highly efficient solutions. This, for example, could allow broadcasters to run part of their operations remotely, from their home studios rather than on-site in Paris. Ultimately, this solution will drastically reduce physical space and power requirements at the venues and the International Broadcast Centre – the main hub of the broadcast operations for OBS and Media Rights-Holders during the Games.

All Roads Lead to AI: Enhancing Viewer Experience and Athlete Performance

Artificial intelligence will be the heartbeat of Paris 2024, enhancing everything from internal workflows to viewer experience and athlete performance analysis. Collaborating with Alibaba, OBS will introduce AI-powered multi-camera replay systems, offering stunning 3D models and texture mapping across 21 sports. This means more compelling replays from more angles than ever before.

Partnering with Omega, OBS will utilise AI for intelligent stroboscopic analysis in diving, athletics, and artistic gymnastics, providing viewers with detailed insights into athletes' movements and biomechanics. Expect AI-generated data graphics that offer unprecedented depth and understanding of performances.

Personalised Content Delivered with AI

In an era where social media dominates, the Olympics Committee’s Broadcasting Service plans to introduce Automatic Highlights Generation in collaboration with Intel. This will automatically compile key moments from 14 sports into tailored highlight reels based on MRHs' preferences, delivering personalised content to engage digital and social media audiences like never before.

NBC is taking it a step further with "A.I. Michaels" – an AI version of the famed sportscaster Al Michaels. Daily recaps of the Summer Games will be delivered to subscribers of its Peacock streaming platform, personalised by subscriber preferences and efficiently packaged from 5,000 hours of live coverage.

High-Definition? That’s Old News. Enter 8K Live Streaming

The 2024 Games will mark the debut of an 8K live streaming broadcast powered by Intel Xeon processors. This technology promises minimal latency and a high-resolution viewing experience, setting a new standard for sports broadcasting. It’s not just about seeing the action; it’s about experiencing it in unprecedented detail.

In-Venue Fan Engagement

Intel and Samsung are enhancing on-site experiences with AI-driven fan activities, including analysing athletic drills and matching participants' profiles to Olympic sports. AI-powered 3D models will facilitate indoor and voice navigation through smartphone apps, making the event more accessible and interactive.

Looking to the future, Intel's Emergent AI Lab is developing neural object cloning to transform Olympic artefacts into 3D digital models. This initiative will allow the Olympic Museum to offer interactive digital exhibitions, preserving the legacy of the Games in a groundbreaking digital format.

As we look forward to the Paris Olympics 2024, one thing is clear: the future of sports is here, and it is powered by technology. The Games will not only celebrate the pinnacle of human athletic achievement but also showcase how technology can transform our connection to sports, making it more interactive, immersive, and impactful than ever before. The advancements unveiled at the Paris Olympics will set new standards for global sporting events, leaving an indelible mark on how we consume and appreciate sports.

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