Technology Bringing the Olympics to New Heights
Countries are not just competing with their athletes, they are competing with sports technology as well. Every country is trying to use technology to their advantage and find innovative ways to get the most out of training. Athletes technique and performance is now quanitfied and examined using biometrics and analytics. The advancement of wearable technology has brought the human performance market to a new level. As the game is ever-changing is there a place when it's too far? In a recent article by the South China Morning Post, Dr Aimée Mears, a lecturer at Loughborough University’s Sports Technology Institute said, “Most nations and sports governing bodies will have provisions for sports technology and it will be incorporated into the support provided to Olympic athletes.”
Tokyo2020 has put a major focus on innovation and making these the most innovative and tech centric games to date. They have leaned on their partners to make this happen, and Intel has made massive contributions to the games. Intel has partnered with Alibaba introducing 3D Athlete Tracking (3DAT), this allows coaches, as well as fans, to look into every movement by their athletes. Intel also has 3D virtual replication of their stadiums that could help athletes prepare for their races by getting a feel for the venue.
Intel Analytics for 3D Athlete Tracking
With no spectators being allowed at these Olympics, delivery and the broadcast experience of these games are more important than ever. The aim is to make people watching at home feel like they are within reach of the action. Sports media platforms have been focusing on how to develop immersive experiences for fans throughout the global pandemic, and Intel has brought their TrueView technology to Tokyo. The Olympic Broadcasting System is set to produce 30% more content then Rio. We know that a main piece of Olympic content is all about the athletes and the stories of triumph and tribulation that lead them to compete for their country. Storytelling and pieces focusing on the athlete’s time off the field of play will be key for the Tokyo2020 Games.
Fans also get to experience live and on-demand virtual reality content to feel like they are at the games. This multi-camera VR transports the fans closer to the action and keeps them deeply engaged. A special aspect of these Olympic Games is the never before seen behind-the-scenes footage from the athletes. This is all possible by TikTok as athletes have their own accounts showing you their living conditions and equipment from sponsors or doing a day in the life in the Olympic Village.
It is no question that technology has made its way into every aspect of the sports industry. Whether it is in the training, the recovery, the competitions, the broadcasts, or on social media, tech is changing the way athletes and fans interact with sports. As new technologies are put on display in Tokyo, it will be interesting to see which solutions make their way to Beijing in 2022.