Since becoming a Worldwide Olympic Partner in 2017, Alibaba has committed to helping the IOC transform the Olympic Games for the digital era. As the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group and Worldwide TOP Partner, Alibaba Cloud offers world-class cloud computing infrastructure and cloud services to help enable the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 to digitalise its operations to be more efficient, effective, secure and engaging for fans, broadcasters, event organisers and athletes from Tokyo 2020 onwards.

Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS)

In collaboration with Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), Alibaba's cloud solutions have supported service delivery for Rights-Holding Broadcasters (RHBs) for the first time during the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Built upon the platform provided by Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group and Worldwide TOP Partner, OBS Cloud offers new models for content delivery that drive operational efficiency and greater agility. An innovative broadcasting solution brought together by OBS and Alibaba, and operates entirely on the cloud, OBS Cloud, is designed to help transform the media industry for the digital era.

OBS International Transmission MCR Room

Yiannis Exarchos, OBS Chief Executive Officer, commented "The partnership with Alibaba Cloud is transforming how we broadcast the Olympic Games to the widest possible audience - this is perhaps the biggest technological change in the broadcasting industry for more than half a century since the introduction of satellite transmission, which was introduced to Olympic broadcast coverage for the first time at Tokyo 1964."

Leveraging Alibaba technologies, Content+, OBS' content delivery platform is now fully migrated to the cloud for delivering short-form content, content asset management and content production.

Cloud Technology to Reduce Heat Stroke Risk

Mobile app with level of heat stroke risk and the intelligent ear-worn device supported by Alibaba's technology

In addition, Alibaba Group has announced a new cloud-based solution to help Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 onsite staff reduce the risk of getting heat stroke during the summer in Tokyo. Through an intelligent ear-worn device, the technology helps keep track of the body temperature and heart rate of the Olympic onsite staff in Tokyo. Based on the body temperature, heart rate and the environment index, a cloud-based system will identify the level of heat stroke risk in real time for individual working staff. Alerts will then be sent to those being exposed to a high level of risk along with recommended precautionary measures.

Alibaba Cloud Pin

Besides, Alibaba Group has unveiled the Alibaba Cloud Pin, a cloud-based digital pin, for the broadcasting and media professionals at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. The pin can be worn either as a badge or attached to a lanyard. The digital wearable is designed to enable media professionals working at the International Broadcasting Centre (IBC) and Main Press Centre (MPC) to engage with each other and exchange social media contact information in a safe and interactive manner during the upcoming Olympic Games between July 23rd and August 8th.

Alibaba Cloud Pin serves as multifunction digital name tag for safe and fun social interaction at the IBC and MPC during the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

Serving as a multifunctional digital name tag, the pin enables users to meet and greet each other, add people to their friend list, and exchange daily activity updates, such as step counts and the number of friends made during the day. This can be done easily by tapping their pins together at arm's length, bearing in mind the social distancing measures.

Other Services

In addition, Alibaba has been offering various cloud services to support the digitalisation of Tokyo 2020:

• 3DAT for athletes: Hosted on Alibaba Cloud and leveraging Intel's technology, 3D Athlete Tracking (3DAT) gives audiences professional insights into athletes' performance as it happens. Without the need for motion tracking sensors, 3DAT leverages standard video, AI and Computer Vision to extract over 20 points in 3D on the athlete's body, transforming that data into rich visualisations to enhance broadcasters' storytelling for key Athletics sprinting events.
• Press Conference on Cloud: This is a media service on the cloud for journalists who would like to watch and download the press conference videos during the Olympic Games if they cannot make it to Tokyo. The service includes the video processing, audio/video editing and livestream/VOD distribution and video download function.
• TOKYO 2020 Make The Beat!: In the run-up to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, global fans were invited to film themselves performing to the rhythm to cheer for their favorite athletes. A selection of the submitted material will be displayed during the event as a compilation generated using Alibaba Cloud technology.
• Olympic Channel: Olympics.com, which is hosted on Alibaba Cloud, is designed to keep Olympic sports and athletes relevant in the years between each Olympic Games and attract new, younger audiences to a sports movement.

For more information about Alibaba's efforts in digitalizing the Olympic Games, please visit: https://www.alibabacloud.com/olympics/home