How the Olympic AI agenda will shape the future after Paris 2024?

The Olympic Games represent the pinnacle of any athlete’s career and will always be the primary competition for numerous reasons. However, what happens when AI intervenes in organisation, logistics, data collection, event broadcasting, and the sustainability of the competition?

The Olympic AI agenda, launched by the International Olympic Committee, aims to enhance the overall experience for all participants. Paris hosts the 33rd global showcase from 26 July to 11 August, and it is evident that AI is just beginning its revolution in sports. Despite many sceptics, this article demystifies the agenda and highlights the advantages and disadvantages that could significantly influence future developments.

The integration of AI into the Olympics not only seeks to improve the efficiency and accuracy of event management but also aims to elevate the overall quality of the competition. By leveraging advanced technologies, the IOC hopes to create a more engaging and fair experience for athletes, coaches, and fans alike. This initiative marks a significant step forward in the modernisation of the Olympics, ensuring that it remains the premier sporting event in an increasingly digital world.

Injury prevention, motion analysis, and health advice for athletes

Among the many aspects AI will address in the future, injury reduction and faster recovery for athletes are likely the most important. These systems will help identify various weaknesses and strengths, aiding coaches in better preparing their competitors for crucial matches.

Cameras will predominantly cover the fields and provide data during matches, which is crucial for athletes’ endurance. Interestingly, for some analyses, experts will need nothing more than a smartphone.

AI’s role in injury prevention extends beyond immediate physical health, as it also contributes to long-term athlete welfare. By monitoring training loads and biomechanical patterns, AI can alert coaches and medical teams to potential overuse injuries before they become serious. This proactive approach helps maintain peak performance levels while reducing downtime due to injuries, ultimately extending athletes’ careers and enhancing their overall well-being.

Event organisation to ensure adequate rest for athletes

Schedules at major competitions often change due to weather issues or logistical errors. One of the goals of the Olympic AI agenda is to facilitate event preparation months in advance for seamless operation. These systems can anticipate potential problems before the competition starts, minimising errors.

AI can also assist in optimising transportation schedules, accommodation arrangements, and training facilities, ensuring that athletes have the best possible conditions for preparation and recovery. By automating these logistical aspects, the IOC can focus more on the athletes’ needs, reducing stress and allowing them to concentrate fully on their performance. This holistic approach to event management aims to create a more supportive environment for all participants.

Enhancing fan engagement

Sport is played for the fans, so they must not be excluded from this revolutionary process. The Olympic AI agenda aims to give fans a more significant role than ever through personalised content, live statistics, and other features via official apps, enhancing their enjoyment of their favourite competitors’ matches.

Recent research indicates that over 55 per cent of fans support the AI agenda, believing it will greatly improve the development of sports and competition quality.

Additionally, AI can personalise fan experiences by offering customised viewing options and interactive features. Fans could receive tailored content based on their preferences, including highlight reels, player statistics, and behind-the-scenes insights. By integrating social media and real-time feedback, the AI-driven platforms can create a more immersive and engaging experience, making the fans feel more connected to the action and their favourite athletes.

Helping the referees during competition

VAR was introduced in football a few years ago, reducing errors during matches. The Olympic AI agenda will similarly improve assistance to referees in other sports. Special emphasis is placed on gymnastics, where movements will be analysed in minute detail, providing almost perfect analysis to referees for decision-making.

Numerous obstacles will undoubtedly arise before the system reaches optimal condition, but it will simplify the work of referees, fans, and especially competitors, explaining the reasons for decisions in the given moment.

AI’s involvement in officiating also includes the potential to standardise and improve the accuracy of scoring systems across various sports. By reducing human error and bias, AI can ensure that all athletes are judged fairly and consistently, enhancing the integrity of the competition. This technological advancement is particularly crucial in sports with subjective scoring elements, where even minor discrepancies can significantly impact the outcomes.

Live event broadcasting and tracking

Fans often miss something interesting during broadcasts. AI will play a crucial role, making it easier for fans to review key moments as competitions unfold. AI commentators are increasingly mentioned for following less popular sports, gathering data, and providing more information to fans who previously struggled to keep up with the Olympic Games’ pace. Multi-language broadcast options and clear analysis will enhance the overall experience, starting from Paris, through Los Angeles 2028, Brisbane 2032, and beyond.

The integration of AI in broadcasting can also improve the accessibility of Olympic events. Enhanced captioning, audio descriptions, and real-time translations can make the games more inclusive for a global audience. AI-driven analytics can provide deeper insights into the events, helping fans understand complex strategies and techniques, thus broadening the appeal of various sports and attracting new audiences.

Athlete security

Athletes need rest, peace, and focus before major events to compete for medals. Potential cyber-attacks in Paris have been a concern, addressed by the French Prime Minister. The Olympic AI agenda aims to develop systems that detect unusual activities during the tournament, ensuring athletes’ security.

AI’s role in security extends beyond cyber threats. It includes monitoring physical security by analysing crowd behaviour, identifying potential safety hazards, and ensuring swift responses to any incidents. These comprehensive security measures aim to create a safe and secure environment, allowing athletes to focus on their performance without concerns about their safety or privacy.

What can we expect?

Given AI’s integral role in recent years, it is hard to believe it will not permeate all aspects, including sports. From athlete injury prevention to logistical solutions aiming to reduce waste, resource consumption, and other key factors for better-organised Games, AI will play a significant role in future major events. Additionally, with the primary goal of maintaining peace and stability for both athletes and fans, this agenda has full support from its developers. Paris 2024 serves as a general rehearsal for what lies ahead, and the outcome will be known once the last medals are awarded on 11 August.

The success of the AI agenda in Paris will likely set the stage for future advancements and innovations in subsequent Olympic Games. As AI technologies evolve, they will continue to refine and enhance various aspects of the Games, ensuring they remain at the top of global sports events. The potential for AI to revolutionise the Olympics is vast, promising a more efficient, engaging, and fair competition for everyone involved.