The London Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) in 2012 is exploring ways of using technology to inform consumers, including letting them post camera phone photos and videos on an “official” Web site in part because it’s impossible to stop unsanctioned photos from being published around the Web, according to an article on vunet.com.
The article says, “In the past, organisers have used the main web site for publishing results and providing information to the public….The group is considering how media sharing technology could help turn camera phones from a threat into an opportunity.”
The problem for the organizers is regardless of what they do (within reason) people will take photos and videos of events and post them to the Web even though this is against the policies of who may legally take images and post them.
In addition, attendees at the events might be interested in particular athletes even if the athletes aren’t the stars and not covered by the media, says Alex Balfour, the head of new media for LOGO, in vunet.com.
Embracing social networking
“Rather than attempting to stop something unstoppable, we can embrace it and create something spectacular,” Balfour says. He notes that the younger generation uses social networking sites and, therefore, LOGO should employ such technology to be more relevant.
I hope LOGO does indeed create a site for consumer photos and videos. It probably won’t reduce much of the “illegal” recording, but it certainly would show that the committee realizes the value of consumer-oriented information.
Some sports leagues and teams in the United States have rather draconian regulations about who is permitted — and how they are permitted — to report and photograph events and they are receiving a lot of pushback from the media as well as consumers.
Employing technology in 2012
The London Olympics Web site has a one-page “technology” section (see below) that emphasizes the organizers’ desire to employ the latest technology “to create a Games excitingly relevant for a 21st-century audience — a ‘Games for a connected world.’”
Under the “communications technology” subhead, the site’s copy says:
“Technology will transform the way people engage with the Games. It is not just about receiving information — it will also be about reacting to it.
“Digital channels such as the web and mobile phones will be the number one way for everyone to access, share and participate in the 2012 Games. In the run-up to the Games, we will be offering people ways to get closer to the action, interacting with our data and sharing their own.
“Come 2012, there will be new ways to interact with events, whether it is through spectator services in the Olympic Park or interactive technologies in UK towns and cities.”
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