Back in 2017, Alibaba’s partnership with the International Olympic Committee set the stage for the digital transformation of large-scale sports events. Alibaba Cloud, the technological arm of Alibaba Group, has since embarked on a mission to infuse best-in-class technologies and innovations into the Olympic Games, ushering in an era of enhanced efficiency, sustainability, and inclusivity for athletes, organisers, volunteers, broadcasters, and sports enthusiasts worldwide.
Alibaba Cloud’s cutting-edge technologies have become the linchpin for the efficient operation of sports events, making it smoother and more streamlined. Some of the technologies Alibaba Cloud has already used or will soon be using include:
- Olympic Summer Games Tokyo 2020: Olympic Broadcasting Services was hosted on the OBS cloud.
- Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022: First Winter Olympic Games to migrate core games technology services to the cloud.
- Asian Games Hangzhou 2022: First Asian Games to be 100% on the cloud.
- Olympic Summer Games Paris 2024: Chosen partner to provide next-generation broadcasts, logistics planning, and sensor-less tracking services.
Digitally Transforming the 19th Asian Games
The Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee (HAGOC) has embarked on a groundbreaking mission to propel the digitalisation of the 19th Asian Games. In a significant stride towards this goal, HAGOC strategically partnered with Alibaba Cloud for a collaboration that aims to bring the first Asian Games to the cloud, promising a more intelligent, sustainable, sophisticated, and efficient Asian Games experience for enthusiasts worldwide.
Needless to say, the ongoing quadrennial showpiece, which formally opened on 23 September and is slated to run until 8 October, is now redefining the future of large-scale sports events with the help of Alibaba Cloud.
Cloud-Powered Core Systems
At the heart of this digital revolution are the core systems—Games Management Systems (GMS), Results Distribution Systems (RDS), and Games Support Systems (GSS)—which now rely on Alibaba Cloud’s robust, reliable, and secure technologies. These systems will oversee the seamless operation of 56 competition venues and critical facilities, including the information technology management centre, main media centre, and the Hangzhou Asian Games Villages.
With more than 100,000 registered users, including athletes, broadcasters, journalists, staff, and volunteers from 45 countries and regions, the stakes are certainly high.
Hence, Alibaba Cloud took the pivotal role as the Games’ official information technology integrator and cloud service provider. Drawing from its proven track record in supporting large-scale global sports events, Alibaba Cloud aims to deliver an innovative, efficient, sustainable, and inclusive Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Selina Yuan, President of International Business at Alibaba Cloud Intelligence Group, emphasised that with enhanced core system support and advanced cloud broadcast technologies, the global audience and sports fans can now anticipate a more engaging viewing experience.
Selina Yuan, President of International Business, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence Group
In order to do this without any problems, Alibaba Cloud provides the fundamental architecture for the seamless integration of core systems and intelligent applications from cloud broadcasting and event organisation—all the way to communications.
For example, whenever each competition concludes, the RDS collects data from the venue’s timing and scoring system. This data is then seamlessly integrated into the central system, allowing for its distribution in various formats through distinct application programming interfaces. These integral processes, from displaying results to delivering news feeds, rely on Alibaba Cloud to ensure efficiency, precision, and system stability.
By harnessing cloud-native technology and leveraging Alibaba Cloud’s container services, the company introduces heightened agility, scalability, and efficiency in event operations. This advancement eliminates the need for physical data centres that demand extensive dedicated space and maintenance facilities. Furthermore, cloud resources are freed up once the event concludes, contributing to a more environmentally sustainable approach to hosting the games.
The Hangzhou Asian Games is also witnessing a historic shift in broadcasting, with Rights-Holding Broadcasters (RHBs) receiving live footage through public cloud infrastructure. Alibaba Cloud aims to transmit more than 5,000 hours of live footage through high-definition and ultra-high-definition feeds. This cloud-based content platform will deliver highlights and news flashes, revolutionising the viewing experience for audiences across Asia and the world.
Cloud technology has the capabilities to eliminate the need for costly international telecommunication circuits and minimise setup time, making live multilateral content delivery both cost-effective and efficient.
Bringing Intelligent Villages With the Help of the Cloud
The 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou has also introduced an Intelligent Operation Platform to manage the operation of the three Asian Games Villages hosting over 20,000 athletes, reporters, and officials. Leveraging Alibaba Cloud’s advanced visualisation tools, real-time intelligence is analysed to enhance the management system.
For instance, the Intelligent Operation Platform makes use of real-time data to assess and monitor crowd and traffic management. If a public area becomes excessively congested, a warning signal is triggered on a control panel, prioritising public safety. Furthermore, the system offers alerts for extreme weather conditions, power failures, and potential fires, aiding organisers in making data-driven decisions.
Incorporating Alibaba Cloud’s natural language processing technology, an intelligent service robot delivers round-the-clock online consultation services, proficient in both English and Chinese, to residents of the Asian Games Villages via a web-based application. This chatbot is adept at providing immediate responses pertaining to the services accessible within the Villages.
Indeed, Alibaba Cloud’s collaboration with the HAGOC marks a significant leap in the future of sporting events.
Yuan concluded her keynote by pointing out that the Hangzhou Asian Games will be another milestone for Alibaba’s work for large-scale sports events.
“Alibaba Cloud can now set the standards on showing how robust, scalable, and secure cloud computing technologies can help drive the digital transformation of sporting events, with the aim to bring sports and entertainment to every corner of the world,” said Yuan.
The sports world, again, is watching closely, and Alibaba Cloud is proving up to the task once more.
