Cutting-edge tech to enhance Games

The 2022 Winter Olympics are on track to be the "most tech-driven" Games in history, according to the official host broadcaster.

Olympic Broadcast Services (OBS) told Xinhua it will adopt cutting-edge technologies at the Games, with the company's CEO, Yiannis Exarchos, saying he was not surprised by the advanced preparations for Beijing 2022, having also worked at the 2008 Summer Games.

"I'm absolutely confident that Beijing and China will deliver once again, as they did in 2008, a Games of extremely high quality," Exarchos said at the first World Broadcaster Briefing for Beijing 2022, held in the capital this week.

"But this puts additional responsibilities on all of us. We have an obligation to make sure the Winter Games of Beijing will be better, more sustainable, more innovative than any previous Olympic Games. Beijing 2022 promises to be the most tech-driven Games."

The 2008 Olympics reached a total audience of 4.6 billion through television and digital platforms, while OBS provided a record 5,000 hours of live HD content.

OBS is planning to give the coverage a slightly different flavor in 2022.

"As Beijing 2008 showcased the emergence of China on the international stage, I think now, through the Games of 2022, China will reaffirm itself as one of the key leaders of the world in terms of innovation," Exarchos said.

OBS plans to utilize technologies such as 4K and 8K ultra-high-definition resolutions and virtual reality at the Games, while "experiments with artificial intelligence" are also anticipated.

Exarchos believes the use of a 5G network, which OBS is developing with Chinese tech giant and Olympic partner Alibaba, will have a revolutionary effect on broadcasting at the Games.

The cloud technology will allow broadcasters to work more efficiently and allow viewers to enjoy more personalized programs.

"We believe the technology will be a big benefit to broadcasters, users and organizers, because we release pressure on the host city," said Exarchos.

"Tokyo 2020 will be the opportunity to introduce it. Beijing 2022 will probably be the time when the technology will be massively adopted and embraced by broadcasters."

Xinhua