The Technology Powering the Olympics Showcases a Vast Array of Jobs in Tech

By the CompTIA Spark editorial team

As thousands of athletes prepare for the 2024 Paris Olympics, there are many others preparing as well — like the tech professionals helping to enhance the multi-event experience for competitors and fans alike. Though they might not take the podium, these professionals have more in common with the Olympians than you might think. They are also at the forefront of their industry, have been preparing for years, and possess the dedication, passion and team spirit to develop — and run — the technology that will power the Olympics.

What sort of technologies are these teams delivering?

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity specialists are responsible for the protection of information and data on computers, networks and electronic devices by anticipating, preventing and responding to attacks. Everything from ticketing to managing the athletes’ travel requires secure data and strength in cybersecurity.

Aside from having extensive expertise in their fields, teams of cybersecurity professionals have been honing their skills in preparation for the 2024 Summer Olympics by hosting mock cyberattacks, or “war games,” and paying “bug bounties” to hackers to identify weaknesses in their systems.

Fun fact: There is even a cybersecurity professional competing in this summer’s Olympics — meet runner Georgia Bell.

App development

From the official Olympic apps for athletes and spectators to those from media companies that broadcast the events to the entire world, apps are everywhere at the 2024 Paris Olympics. When it comes to these apps, the teams who develop them spend months, if not years, ensuring they're fit to power the Olympics.

The Athlete365 app alerts athletes on any updates to their schedules so they know where they need to be and when. Spectators can use an app to decide what events they want to attend in person. The Paris 2024 app allows fans to livestream the games while providing them with access to highlights, replays and other content that might not be included in the original broadcast.

Data capture technology

Today’s athletes leverage technology, such as wearable tech, to gain insight into their health and performance. But that technology goes beyond fitness watches and wrist bands. These enhanced devices — and the software that operates them — depend on data and analytics technology. The U.S. men’s and women’s swim teams are even using data capture technology to develop “digital twins” to help them train.

Swimmers are equipped with sensors called inertial measurement units that record acceleration, orientation and force that capture information up to 512 times a second (while digital video can typically only record 24 frames per second). With this data, digital twins are created, enabling swim coaches to precision train Olympic athletes.

Computer vision technology

Through multi-camera systems, AI models specifically trained for each sport will provide detailed tracking of athletes and objects. For example, in volleyball, high-definition cameras installed around the court will capture data on athletes, eliminating the need for players to wear sensors. 

Virtual reality

Virtual reality (VR) is another excellent example of using data and analytics in athletics. Olympians are using VR setups to simulate athletic competitions during training. In addition to realistic visual simulations, this type of VR utilizes data and analytics in a more robust way than previous technology developed for athletes and their trainers.

For example, while in past games, Olympians have had access to tech that virtually replicated the arena or terrain they’d be competing in, today’s VR enables them to do the same and more, including experience their events from both first- and second-person perspectives. These advances in VR tech provide athletes with the information they need to optimize their performances, identify more closely with their teammates and shave fractions of seconds off their event times.

Data visualization technology

Data visualization is the graphical representation of information and data, such as maps, charts and other infographics. Employed in a range of industries, data visualization tools and technologies facilitate the analysis of large quantities of information while communicating that information to its target audiences in a way that’s easy to understand. By laying out relevant patterns and trends, these tools help athletes and their coaches make informed decisions quickly during competition.

Live broadcast graphics technology

For its production of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, NBC Sports will utilize Chyron, a broadcast technology toolset, to deliver 2D and 3D animated text and graphics to the viewing audience. Chyron’s sports data integration and display capabilities, along with rapid recall, modification and highly customizable playout control, will enable NBC to share rich, real-time statistics, scores and data visualizations.

AI video surveillance

AI for video surveillance, also known as algorithmic video surveillance, utilizes computer software programs that analyze the audio and images from video surveillance cameras to help identify potential security threats and keep the games’ athletes and spectators safe.

AI helps to recognize humans, vehicles, objects, attributes and specific events, such as the presence of abandoned objects, the presence or use of weapons, a fire breaking out and traffic direction, as well as people falling, fighting or arguing. While this type of AI software enhances the efforts of humans, it would not exist and cannot run without them.

AI time keeping with smart cameras

Powered by a combination of AI and smart cameras, the official timekeeper of the Olympic games, Omega, will deliver detailed information on athletes’ movements and performances directly to judges. For example, thanks to a photo-finish camera that captures up to 40,000 digital images per second, judges will have access to composite photos that will enable them to accurately determine the race results of close finishes.

AI voice cloning

With permission of course, an AI (artificial intelligence) version of legendary sportscaster Al (Alan) Michaels will debut during coverage of the Olympics. By cloning his voice using video footage from real-life sports coverage, “AI Michaels” was created to match his signature expertise and elocution. It takes a team of developers, machine learning engineers and other technologists to make this broadcast magic possible.

Immersive AI

In partnership with the International Olympic Committee, Intel has created a first-of-its-kind immersive AI experience for fans onsite in Paris. With the help of the humans trained to run it, the immersive AI will take visitors on a virtual journey of becoming an Olympic athlete.