Rio 2016 Olympics: Can technology be more game-changing this time?

Pratima H

FRANCE: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil would be captivating the whole world between Aug 5 and 21 as the ultimate global playground for many sports. But technology might get a new spotlight too and break new records of intersections between sports and IT.

After all, the marathon by technology has come a long way since the 1964 Tokyo Games when automated systems replacing stop-watches were per se, fascinating enough. In fact, 2012 itself was a strong glimpse of how much ground technology can penetrate. We saw aerodynamic electronic starting pistols, bicycle tyres capable of emitting identification codes for start and finish lines, transponders in skin-wear for cyclists, shape-streamlined helmets, battery-powered fabric, performance-enhancing outfits for rowers, virtual imaging indicators and submerged flags in swimming events as well as dual-lens camera for underwater shooting.

And of course, new track-breaking ways of quantum timing systems (that could wipe off speed-of-sound issues for each runner and crunch race timings nearest to one thousandth of a second), data handling and score/time keeping besides technology finally defeating false starts with electronic pressure-detecting starting blocks in races.

Circle on to 2016 and we are ready for the marvel of sports and everything else it ignites, to bedazzle the world again. So seems Atos, the Worldwide partner of the Olympic Games.

It took them around four years to design, build, test and run the IT systems that support the Games. But the moment of truth is almost here and the clock has started ticking with a new needle now. Atos just announced the issue of first Accreditations for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Now over the next three months, 300,000 Accreditations will be issued in total. These will include the ones to the media, athletes, sports officials and sponsors for enabling access to Olympic venues and granted entry into Brazil and would be built and managed by Atos that claims to have the same high levels of security as systems used to process applications for passports and visas.

Imagine, what role would this kind of Accreditation play as a critical element, specially in the security of the Games?

So far we know that bearing the name and photo of the individual, plus a security bar code, each Accreditation identifies the holder and defines their access rights. Atos also informs that it has been working with the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games and Brazil’s Ministry of Home Affairs, to deliver the online system that enables the entire secure accreditation process, from identifying accredited participants, to managing registration, to assigning access privileges and by providing access control information.

Incidentally, Rio 2016 marks the first time hosting of a part of the IT system in the cloud, along with new digital transformation attempts.

The IOC, Worldwide TOP Partner Atos and the Organising Committee for the Olympic Games Rio 2016 have already opened the Technology Operations Centre for the 2016 Games whereupon Jean-Benoît Gauthier, Information and Technology Director at the IOC had encapsulated, “These Games will represent significant progress in the IT systems used at the Games, and we are working together with our Worldwide Partner, Atos, to improve the experience of the athletes, media and spectators, not only in Rio de Janeiro but also at future Olympic Games too.”

The Technology Operations Centre (TOC), the IT equivalent of the main stadium, would be the Control and Command Centre for technology would supervise some 144 Olympic competition and non-competition venues, apart from monitoring and control of the IT systems that support the running of the Games.

Atos has provided IT solutions to the Olympic Games since 1992 and this would be a good time to do a drill of what to expect in terms of technology this time around. Like Cloud, compatibility and digital protein? Lots of questions but Michèle Hyron, Chief Integrator at Atos for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games seems all game.
Tell us something about the Accreditation system first. How does one vary from another? Where does it help the security angle?

The Accreditation system allows the procedures to be secure and reliable as it is integrated with the Brazilian Security systems to ensure the safety of the Games. All accredited foreign nationals would be able to use their Accreditation as a visa waiver to enter Brazil. But it would be used as per the context. Like, a 100 meter sprinter would have access to the field of play and the Olympic Village, but a journalist would have access to the Main Press Center and the media canteen.

How is the accreditation and visa part here distinct from others, especially with reference to sports' events?

The system provided by Atos manages the accreditation for all those who are contributors to the Olympic Games including the athletes, the sports officials and the media.

Would this solution be compatible with other global visa/immigration processes?

The system that Atos provides to process the accreditation system is connected to all law enforcement and immigration bodies of the host country making it one of the most interconnected, secure access control systems in the world.

Any observations on advantages of bar code Vis a Vis options like sensors, beacons, RFID etc?

In trials, it has been found that when facial recognition was not used, sometimes individuals would be allowed to pass, even if they did not resemble their photo at all, as the security team relied 100 per cent on the technology and did not also check the photo.

What new implications would the Cloud dimension have here, especially with 2016 being the first time use? Have you picked any lessons or references from other events or cloud-deployments of this scale and context?

Cloud brings many benefits for the Games – reduced cost and improved efficiency with the ability to flex up and down as required. It also reduces carbon emissions to support the sustainable Games. Finally, as the cloud infrastructure will be used long-term for several Games, the infrastructure can be continually strengthened and improved with investment benefiting several Games.

What's new from a technology angle at Rio 2016? Any changes or lessons from 2012 that you can share?

Rio 2016 is a breakthrough moment for technology at the Olympic Games. Here’s how:

• Cloud will be used for the first time at a Summer Olympic Games to host the applications to support the operations of the Game including the volunteer portal, the accreditation system and the workforce systems.

• Improved data analytics to provide not only visibility in real time of security events and threats, but also a means to identify and proactively prevent security incidents from occurring.

• New digital technologies to support the Games which for the first time are expected to be watched by more people on their smart phones than on TV.

What's exciting to look forward to at this time? Also, is it a tight-rope to manage security and accuracy aspect of data with real-time delivery?

Managing the IT for the Olympic Games is a huge task and when the world is watching there is no room for error. Right now there is a lot to look forward to with just over two months to the start of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The focus of our team is now on ensuring that we are 100 per cent ready for operations and that everybody understands their role and the processes.

Looking at a bigger picture, what are your thoughts on the increased penetration of IT in Sports domain?

Technology now touches all aspects of our lives. The role of Atos in the Olympic Games, as Worldwide IT Partner is to provide a service to the media, athletes and sports officials, so that they can all focus on the sport. Thanks to the systems provided by Atos, fans around the world can follow the action as it happens.

What's been the journey like so far for Atos?

Our journey to the Rio Olympic 2016 Games started in November 2012 when the first team members arrived in Rio. It takes around four years to design, build, test and run the IT systems that support the Games. As we now approach the operational phase, our team of IT experts are in the final stages of preparation. Their objective is to ensure that technology remains behind the scenes at the Olympic Games.