Paris Olympics: A Tech Journey Like No Other

With the Paris 2024 Olympics underway, you might be wondering: What role is technology playing in this massive sporting event? How is tech enhancing the organization and coverage of this grand occasion?

If these questions have crossed your mind, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive right in!

AI Everywhere at the Olympics

Over the past couple of years, whether it’s the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas or New York Fashion Week, any event with companies and experts is abuzz with the wonders of Artificial Intelligence (AI). So, when it comes to the Olympics, you can bet AI is all over the place!

For many athletes, the Olympics are the pinnacle of their careers. They’ve spent years training to showcase their best and hopefully snag a medal. Some are so dedicated that they’re willing to make extreme sacrifices — like an Australian hockey player who opted to have his broken finger amputated just so he wouldn’t miss the Games.

Now, imagine after all that training, something messes with an athlete’s mental state on the day of the competition. This is where AI steps in as the hero.

One of the ways the organisers of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics are using AI is to monitor social media. The AI scans and flags any offensive comments directed at athletes. We’re talking about over 15,000 athletes and more than 2,000 officials and team staff. Think of it as a digital bodyguard, not protecting their physical well-being but safeguarding their mental health. This ensures athletes can focus entirely on their performance and breaking records without unnecessary distractions.

Of course, if the source of stress is internal — say, a teammate or even a coach — there’s only so much technology can do. AI might not be able to stop a coach from giving demotivating advice, but at least it can help maintain a positive online environment.

Protecting Athletes’ Privacy with Smart Apparel

Another concern for athletes is the potential breach of their privacy. This is where technology steps in again.

Mizuno, a renowned Japanese sportswear brand, has developed special attire embedded with fibres that disrupt unauthorised photography and filming. How does it work? Some cameras use infrared sensors that can, unfortunately, capture images beneath an athlete’s uniform. Mizuno’s innovative fabric interferes with these sensors, ensuring that athletes can perform without worrying about invasive photography.

This advancement is particularly significant for athletes who often face privacy violations. By integrating this technology into their uniforms, athletes can concentrate on their performance, knowing that their privacy is safeguarded.

Broadcasting Like Never Before

Recently, while watching the UEFA Euro 2024, I pondered how much cutting-edge broadcasting technology enhances our viewing experience. High-definition cameras capturing every angle, slow-motion replays, and immersive graphics make the game more engaging — even for those who aren’t die-hard sports fans.

At the Paris 2024 Olympics, we’re stepping into the future with live 8K broadcasts for the first time. Yes, you read that correctly. Ultra-high-definition 8K streaming will bring the events to life like never before. Imagine seeing every bead of sweat, every muscle flex, in astonishing detail. For those with compatible TVs and streaming devices, it will be a visual feast.

But it doesn’t stop there. AI-powered multi-camera replays with 3D modelling will revolutionise how we watch replays. This technology allows broadcasters to create 3D models of specific moments, enabling viewers to watch replays from entirely new and cinematic angles. It’s like having your own personal director choosing the best shots for you.

This innovative replay system is brought to the Olympics by Alibaba, the Chinese tech giant. By analysing footage from multiple cameras, they can construct a 3D model of the action, giving us unprecedented viewing options. Pretty cool, right?

Note: The availability of these features depends on the broadcasting capabilities in your country and whether your devices support such advanced technology.

Digital Twins and Smarter Planning

While researching for this post, I came across something called ”Digital Twins” being implemented at the Olympics. Essentially, they’re creating digital replicas of the Olympic venues.

Why? To help planners optimise everything. From camera placements to crowd control, these digital models allow organisers to fine-tune operations without physically being in the venue. This saves time, reduces costs, and minimises environmental impact by cutting down on travel and resource consumption.

Think about it. When I, as a journalist, go to interview someone or visit a company for a report, I need to arrive early with a cameraman to scout out camera angles, lighting, ambient noise, and other factors to ensure everything runs smoothly during filming. Now, scale that up to an event as significant as the Olympics. By creating a digital twin, they can conduct these assessments virtually, leading to more efficient and optimised operations.

But that’s not all. Intel has introduced an AI-powered system that simulates athletic drills, allowing visitors to test their skills. The system then identifies which sport they’re best suited for.

In Senegal — a country that, until now, had only ever won a single silver medal in Olympic history — Intel’s system was tested on a thousand children. They managed to identify 40 promising talents who could become the country’s future champions.

Looking ahead, we can anticipate a revolution in talent scouting methods. We might no longer need to search local playing field for the next big star!

Instant Data and Personalised Highlights

Here’s another technological marvel from this Olympics: the results and performance data for each athlete will be available almost instantaneously. When I say “almost instantaneously,” I mean just 0.35 seconds! This rapid data dissemination allows broadcasters, analysts, and fans to access stats and insights in real-time.

Moreover, AI-driven highlight reels ensure you never miss the most exciting moments. By analysing events as they happen, AI curates personalised highlight packages tailored to your preferences. Whether you’re a fan of gymnastics, track and field, or swimming, you can catch all the action that matters most to you.

So there you have it — the technological wonders making the Paris 2024 Olympics a truly remarkable event!

From AI safeguarding athletes’ mental health to ground-breaking broadcasting innovations and sustainable practices, these Games are set to redefine what we expect from global sporting events.

You can listen to this episode in Persian through the following links: Spotify, Castbox, Apple Podcast