The Olympic Games is a game changer for innovation – and that’s why we love it

The Olympic games is a great place to see innovation. From the athletes on show innovating in their given sports to the coverage, the advertising, the architecture and organisation – every Olympic games is like a conference for everyone involved.

So it’s no surprise, then, to see new technology getting its debut in Rio at the 2016 games. Like these underwater shots from Getty Images.

When we watch the games and take in the coverage online, in newspapers and, well, everywhere really, we rarely think about how the pictures we are seeing were taken. When we digest the articles, the analysis and the insight, pictures and videos are really just something nice to draw your attention for a second. Like the generic painting in a hallway, you don’t stop to look, you just get a more pleasant feeling as you make your way along.

But there’s a story behind every photo. And – when you’re watching diving and swimming in particular – you should really be paying attention to the pictures you’re seeing.

That’s because Getty have been using robotic ‘cameramen’ to take their underwater shots from the pools at Rio 2016.

The imagery company has placed cameras in the pools to take shots from underwater – shots never-before accessible. The cameras have a Canon 1D X Mark II in each one, which can be controlled remotely from a computer screen in Rio and used to take shots of divers entering the water, or snap a lovely shot of swimmers launching themselves through the water after completing their turns.

Watching the games is, as always, a lesson in innovation. But don’t forget that it’s more than just the sporting innovation that’s present. The Washington Post is automating some of its more basic coverage of the games, freeing their journalists to focus on more difficult tasks. Journalists at the Post, then, can focus on creating great content for their readers instead of reporting fact that they can find anywhere.

Getty are doing something similar. By positioning the bots under the pool, the humans can focus on getting them into position for great shots. Robots are better than humans at the mechanical, non-creative aspects of the job, and getting bots to do that part just frees up the humans to be creative, maximising the creativity and getting better shots.

The Olympics is the greatest show on Earth, but every one is a game changer for coverage – every Games makes every subsequent sporting event just that little bit better.

Only at an event like the Olympics would you see such creativity and innovation. But these sorts of innovations will become common practice at future events. Long live the Olympic games!

About author

Chris McMullan
Chris McMullan 831 posts

Chris is a sports journalist and editor of Digital Sport - follow him on Twitter @CJMcMullan_

You might also like

SPORTEL 2021: Day One Recap

This year’s prestigious SPORTEL convention kicked off in sunny Monaco today, welcoming a host of familiar faces as well as plenty of new ones. Doors opened at 8:30am with businesses

Six Founding Riders Set To Bring The Vision Of The UCI Track Champions League To Life

Olympic Champions, UCI World Champions and World Record holders join the new track cycling competition debuting in November 2021 The UCI Track Champions League is delighted to announce that six

Sports related spending to soar this summer as pre-pandemic life resumes

New insights from eBay Ads UK reveal the potential for brands to engage with an excited but nervous nation as sports events get back on track  As pubs and indoor