The 19th Asian Games, held in Hangzhou, China, in September 2023, was a truly unique event, thanks in large part to the extensive use of technology. From the opening ceremony to the competition venues, technology was everywhere, enhancing the experience for athletes, spectators, and officials alike.
A green and intelligent Games
One of the key goals of the Hangzhou Asian Games was to be a green and intelligent event. This achieved through a number of technological innovations, including:
- The use of renewable energy to power all competition venues
- The use of carbon-zero methanol for the opening ceremony cauldron
- The use of self-driving shuttle buses to transport athletes and spectators
- The use of 5G technology to enhance the game-watching experience
A digitalized Games
The Hangzhou Asian Games was also the most digitalized Asian Games to date. This was evident in a number of ways, including:
- The use of digital ticketing and accreditation
- The use of real-time data analytics to improve the efficiency of operations
- The use of artificial intelligence (AI) to provide personalized services to spectators and athletes
- The use of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to enhance the viewing experience
A global event
The Hangzhou Asian Games was also a truly global event, with athletes from over 40 countries participating. Technology helped to bring the world together, making it easier for athletes and spectators to connect with each other and share their experiences.
A memorable experience
The Hangzhou Asian Games a truly memorable experience for everyone involved. The use of technology helped to create a more inclusive, sustainable, and engaging event for all.
Here are some specific examples of how technology used at the 19th Asian Games:
Opening ceremony
The opening ceremony was a dazzling display of technology, featuring everything from 3D animation to AR techniques. One of the highlights was the digital torchbearer, which symbolically crossed the iconic Qiantang River and arrived at the main venue to ignite the wave-shaped cauldron.
Competition venues
Self-driving shuttle buses were available at competition venues to transport athletes and spectators. 5G technology also used to enhance the game-watching experience, providing spectators with real-time data and insights.
Athlete support
Athletes were equipped with wearable technology to track their performance and fitness levels. AI was also used to provide athletes with personalized training and coaching advice.
Spectator engagement
Spectators could use many digital tools to be part of the event, such as a phone app to buy tickets, see the schedule, and follow their favorite athletes. VR and AR technologies were also used to create immersive experiences, such as allowing them to take a virtual tour of the competition venues or watch events from different perspectives.
Spectators could use a mobile app to buy tickets, check the schedule, follow their favorite athletes, and get other information about the event.
Conclusion
The Hangzhou Asian Games showed how technology can used to enhance sporting events in a variety of ways. It is likely that future sporting events will continue to adopt new technologies to create even more engaging and memorable experiences for athletes, spectators, and officials alike.
