The technological conclusions of Paris 2024, by Paul Carter ('TechXplore', BBC)

On this platform, Paul Carter, expert technology journalist and host of the format ‘TechXplore’ of the BBC, conveys his vision of the technology used in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games based on his on-site experience and his conversations with the top managers of OBS.

Los 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games held in Paris not only showed the best of world sport, but also broke down the barriers of its presentation to the world. And I was there to see it. This great event, one of the few truly global events, was accompanied by the broadcast of content to more than 200 countries and regions.

Each Olympic cycle sees a leap forward in technological innovation, and Paris was no different. As host of the program TechXplore from the BBC, I was lucky enough to see first-hand some of the most advanced technologies that were implemented for the first time at this year's Games and that helped redefine coverage. I was able to see the latest in audiovisual technology throughout the entire broadcast cycle, from content generation to its production and delivery to audiences around the world.

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What viewers couldn't see

One of the biggest novelties of Paris 2024, although it probably went unnoticed by viewers, was the way in which the 11,000 hours of content estimates, most of which were first transmitted via the cloud rather than the traditional satellite method. The advantages are not only the reduction of physical infrastructure, but also the carbon footprint.

Sotiris Salamouris (OBS): “Instead of send teams con dozens or hundreds behind the scenes of emission, systems and apparatus all over the world, it is enough to have more or less the type of equivalent infrastructure in the cloud”.

“Instead of shipping teams with dozens or hundreds of broadcast racks, systems and devices around the world, it is enough to have more or less the equivalent type of infrastructure in the cloud,” he says. Sotiris Salamouris, chief technology officer at OBS. “We can carry out the operations we need and deactivate them once the matches are over, without any real physical impact,” he adds.

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Visiting the Paris 2024 facilities

During my presence at Paris 2024 I visited the data center of the International Broadcasting Center (IBC), a space temporarily built in Paris that during the Games became the place with the highest content density on the planet. And they are enough to cover a whole year of continuous broadcasts! As a technology journalist, I've been to quite a few data centers over the years, but seeing this transitional structure designed to process every second of the 32 Olympic sports was spectacular.

Connectivity also represented a great advance, since tailor-made 5G networks so that content could be transmitted more easily from the Seine during the opening ceremony, or on specific masts at sea to capture the action while sailing in Marseille.

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IA: the real before and after

Despite all this, personally, the most amazing technological element I witnessed at these Games was the AI implementation in the broadcast process. For the first time, Intel introduced their automated summary collection and editing tool, something truly incredible. At first I was skeptical about its effectiveness and the need for human supervision or intervention, but the results were mind-blowing.

I stayed watching a game in straight, in this case handball, while technology identified the highlights and the key events and automatically cropped, sin intervention of a real person.

I watched a live match, in this case handball, while the technology identified the highlights and key events and automatically cropped, without intervention of a real person. Highlights are tagged and searchable, meaning they can be generated personalized summaries in a matter of minutes. Broadcasters can choose between watching all the highlights from a day of judo, all the action from Great Britain or even watching every corner or throw-in in football.

“Sports that don't get a lot of attention now get coverage because we don't have to dedicate a person to sit there and tag us all the time,” he said. Courtney Willock, head of broadcast technology at Intel's Olympic and Paralympic Games office. “Now the editor can dedicate more time to the narration, to the creative part, and not worry about having to spend all night tagging videos,” he explains.

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Volumetric technology and 8K in Paris 2024

But there were also benefits for viewers at home. These Games were the first in which broadcasting was used volumetric significantly. And of course I had to try it.

This system works with a specialized solution that contains 21 cameras and sensors that create a true three-dimensional model of the captured person, which can be placed in any environment in real three dimensions. I created a volumetric version of myself and was able to position myself in front of the Arc de Triomphe and even in the BBC headquarters in London.

I visited the auditorium 8K and el IBC, where they were made demonstrations of the 8K broadcasts, and the results were really amazing, although I won't rush yet to spend thousands of euros on a new television.

The fact is that the equipment can be placed in safe areas those who are not allowed access to the media, such as Athletes' Village, allowing networks to conduct interviews without needing an in-person team. That image can then be placed in your own television studios to give the impression that it is happening in person. It's something really incredible.

The 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games were also the first in which OBS made some sports available to host broadcasters on 8K resolution, a huge qualitative leap at a time when 8K televisions are still in the early stages of market adoption. I visited the auditorium 8K and el IBC, where the broadcasts were demonstrated, and the results were truly amazing, although I still won't rush to spend thousands of euros on a new television.

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A new career begins: L.A. 2028

Every four years, the organizers of the Olympic Games always declare that their Games will be the more technologically advanced of history. They are usually right, and Paris was no exception. Being able to go behind the scenes and see firsthand the pace and magnitude of innovation was humbling, especially since I had always taken it for granted as an Olympic fan from the comfort of my home.

Con Los Angeles As we host the next Games in 2028, I have no doubt that there will be even greater developments in the coverage and broadcasting of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. For my part, I can't wait to see what's to come..

The final episode of 'TechXplore: Paris' titled 'Beyond the Games', will premiere on BBC News on Saturday, November 30.

Paul Carter

Journalist and host of 'TechXplore' (BBC)