The 2024 Olympic Games were like any other we’ve seen before. Behind the stage, on the stage, around the city, and in the audience, technology elevated the athlete and fan experience to new heights. Innovation is reshaping how we engage with the world’s biggest sporting event, from AI-driven training insights to immersive virtual fan zones. Just like breaking was a new Olympic sport, breaking boundaries in Olympic tech might as well have been! Keep reading to learn about the incredible new ways technology integrates into massive events like the Olympic Games.
Smart Venues: The Digital Transformation of Olympic Infrastructure
Smart venues are strategically created physical spaces that use technology to its optimal level to enhance the space. The ultimate goal of a smart venue is to ensure the entire operation runs smoothly and the fans’ experience is top-notch. A great example of a smart venue is the Atlanta Mercedes-Benz Stadium. According to its partner, IBM, “the stadium incorporates a broad array of technologies integrated to work together as a seamless, unified system, boasting 4,800 miles of fiber optic cable, 1,800 Wi-Fi access points, and the world’s largest digital display – the iconic Halo Board.”
This year’s 2024 Paris Olympics were a perfect example of a smart venue, as various technologies were both reused and pioneered in this setting. Intel, as one of the Worldwide Olympic Partners, helped create the ultimate smart venue experience.
“At previous Games, Intel has accelerated the adoption of 5G, VR, drone, and AI technology in partnership with the IOC for an enhanced Olympic experience. This year, AI will be at the forefront. As the Official AI Platform Partner for Paris 2024, Intel will introduce innovative AI experiences to help transform the Olympic experience for fans, organizers, athletes, and viewers across the globe,” said Sarah Vickers, Leader of Intel’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Office.
Connectivity and sustainability
At the Olympics, IoT and connectivity redefined the Games by creating interconnected and responsive environments that enhanced athlete performance and fan engagement. From smart sensors tracking real-time data on athlete health and venue conditions to connected devices streamlining crowd management and security, IoT technology ensures a seamless and safe experience. These innovations allow organizers to monitor and optimize everything from energy usage to traffic flow, making the Paris Olympics not just a sporting event but a showcase of cutting-edge, tech-driven efficiency.
Tech experts and venue employees also used AI to help keep the Olympics sustainable by reducing the environmental impact of the various venues throughout Paris.
According to an article published for the Olympics, “The energy consumption at Paris 2024 will be monitored in real time, and the captured data will be used to inform future planning,” says Ilario Corna, IOC’s Chief Technology Officer. He adds, “For planning, we are now working with our Partner Intel using the concept of digital twinning, or digital representations of venues, so we can foresee, for example, where we would need power, where we would need to place cameras, and if there could be any accessibility issues – all without needing to be on-site every time. Using these digital twins of the Games venues, we can change the way we organize the Games.”
Digital transformation of the Olympic infrastructure is upon us; only bigger and better advances will come.
Enhancing Athlete Performance With Wearable Tech and Data Analytics
Wearable technology and data analytics are revolutionizing how athletes train, perform, and recover. From monitoring biometrics in real time to customizing training programs through advanced analytics, these cutting-edge tools empower athletes to excel.
Wearable Technology
This type of tech includes devices that monitor athlete biometrics for real-time performance optimization. Some interesting examples of wearable tech that Olympic athletes use are:
- Swimmers use FINIS Smart Goggles and Swimmo watches to track lap times, stroke counts, and efficiency.
- Wearable sensors like the WHOOP Strap track biometrics like heart rate variability, sleep, and recovery, helping athletes optimize training and manage workload for peak performance.
- Smart clothing from Under Armour and Ralph Lauren monitors biometrics like heart rate, muscle activity, and body temperature, offering real-time feedback to optimize athlete performance.
These wearable technologies are transforming the Olympic arena by allowing athletes and coaches to access the data they need to train harder, recover faster, and win bigger.
Data-Driven Training
In a way, data-driven training is related to wearable tech. Advanced analytics are being used to tailor training programs and strategies, sometimes done through clothing or the accessories athletes wear.
While this isn’t new news, an excellent example is 2016, when IBM Watson IoT and USA Cycling teamed up to create AI-enhancing data-driven training for cyclists at that year’s Olympics. IBM Watson used AI to analyze vast amounts of data from cyclists, including power output, cadence, heart rate, and environmental conditions like wind speed and temperature. This technology helped the USA win gold.
Returning to the present, “At the Olympic Games Paris 2024, OMEGA will act as the Official Timekeeper for the 31st time. Working with OMEGA, OBS will unlock the power of AI to deliver faster, more relevant, and insightful data during the Olympic Games,” Yiannis Exarchos shares in an article on AI and tech innovations at the Olympics.
Injury Prevention and Recovery
Athletes and coaches at the Olympic Games utilize technology to detect, prevent, and treat sports injuries. Just a few examples of the type of tech used at the 2024 Games are:
- Wearable sensors, such as MeasureU and OrthoSensor, are used for injury monitoring.
- Devices like the NormaTec recovery boots and other compression wear are widely used for post-competition recovery.
- Hockey brands Dartfish and Kinexon use AI-driven motion analysis to detect subtle changes in movement that could indicate an increased risk of injury.
Both wearable technology and data analytics continue to improve – many will keep their eyes open at the next Olympic Games to see how things have progressed from here.
Immersive Fan Experiences & the Use of AR, VR, and AI in Broadcasting
The future of sports broadcasting is transforming how fans experience the Olympics. Augmented and virtual reality brings the action closer than ever, and AI-powered broadcasting delivers personalized content and instant highlights. These technologies are redefining the fan experience, which is what it is all about.
Augmented and Virtual Reality
AR and VR are transforming how fans experience the Olympics from home, as most people can’t physically attend the Games.
With VR headsets, for example, viewers can log into their streaming platforms and get an up-close and personal experience with the venues. This is the perfect way to get a front-row, 360-degree view of their favorite sporting events.
AR overlays real-time stats, athlete profiles, and interactive content on-screen during broadcasts, giving fans instant access to performance metrics, leaderboards, and athlete paths, enhancing their viewing experience.
Lastly, why not increase the fan experience with AR virtual fan zones? These were popular amongst the at-home viewers.
These experiences make watching the Olympics more interactive and personalized, creating a deeper connection between fans and the Games.
AI-Powered Broadcasting
AI transforms how we watch the Olympics by personalizing content, creating instant highlights, and offering smart commentary. It tailor’s what you see based on your interests, delivers quick highlight reels, and adds real-time insights and stats to keep you in the loop and make the viewing experience more engaging.
Well-liked innovations like multi-angle views, live stats integration, and social media interactivity were highly used during the 2024 Games. Viewers could switch between different camera angles, get real-time stats, and engage with others on social media, making the experience more dynamic and connected.
With innovations like interactive viewing, multi-angle perspectives, and real-time stats, fans are no longer just watching the Games—they’re part of the action.
Cybersecurity at the Olympics
With digital threats looming around almost every turn, safeguarding the Olympic Games has never been more critical. Cutting-edge solutions like advanced encryption, AI, and blockchain to secure data and communications help staff with the unique challenges of a massive scale such as the Games.
Cyber Threat Landscape
Before the Paris Olympics took off, the IDC posted an article about projected threats.
According to them, “…the Paris 2024 Olympics will see the largest number of threats, the most complex threat landscape, the largest ecosystem of threat actors, and the highest degree of ease for threat actors to execute attacks. The organization estimates that revenue from cybersecurity services in France will increase by US$ 94 million in 2024 due to the Olympic Games.”
Interestingly, just a week before the Games started, the global cyber outage caused by the CrowdStrike update occurred, heavily affecting logistics.
How did the tech experts and staff prepare for the possibility of a cyber attack? They learned from previous years since 2016 when attacks on the Olympic Games occurred:
The French ANSSI agency has taken on the responsibility of securing the digital infrastructure of the Paris 2024 Olympics. Working alongside other organizations, the agency has built its cybersecurity strategy around five key pillars:
- Increasing the knowledge of cyber threats to the Games
- Securing critical information systems
- Protecting sensitive data
- Raising awareness in the Games ecosystem
- Preparing to respond to cyber-attacks affecting the Games
Case Studies
Examples of cybersecurity attacks on major global events aside from Olympic Games worthy of consideration are:
- 2014 FIFA World Cup (Brazil)
- 2017 WannaCry Ransomware Attack
- 2017 G20 Summit (Germany)
- 2018 Commonwealth Games (Australia)
- 2019 World Health Organization (WHO) Cyberattack
- 2019 Eurovision Song Contest (Israel)
- 2021 UEFA European Championship
- 2022 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting (Switzerland)
- 2023 Cannes Film Festival (France)
These incidences show the growing threat of cyber attacks on significant global events. The need for comprehensive cybersecurity strategies has never been greater.
The Legacy of the 2024 Olympics: How Technology Will Influence Future Games
The 2024 Olympics are not just about breaking records on the field—they’re setting the stage for the future of sports. The innovations of 2024 will redefine how we experience the Olympics. Beyond the stadium, these advancements have the potential to influence industries and society at large, paving the way for the next wave of technological breakthroughs in sports and event management.
Long-Term Impact
Technological innovations introduced in 2024 will shape future Olympic Games. As athletes, coaches, and other staff utilize these technologies, the data they receive is harnessed to create even more efficient products. By setting new standards, the advancements in data analytics, AI, and immersive technologies will become benchmarks for how future Games are planned, executed, and experienced.
Not only will current technologies get better and progress the Olympics forward, but they also drive technological transfer.
Technological Transfer
Olympic technologies have huge potential to impact broader society and industries. These innovations have the potential to find applications beyond sports.
For example, what tech is used in footwear by professional sprinters may be used in the future by individuals with motor disabilities. Or perhaps new creations in the wearable tech market can transfer to the healthcare sector and assist with patient monitoring and management.
The options are endless.
Future Trends
Predictions are being made for the next wave of sports and event management tech innovations.
Next-generation wearables and immersive fan experiences will get bigger and better. Smart stadiums will be even more efficient for a more engaging fan experience. Drone technology will play a larger role in event coverage. Advances in AI will enable hyper-personalized content delivery—and much more!
The innovations in Paris 2024 showcase how smart venues are not just about convenience – they’re about reimagining the Olympic experience. As technology continues to evolve, these digital transformations will shape the future of how we gather, compete, and connect on the world stage.