The 2012 Olympic Games open this week in London.
As a technology junkie, I appreciate the Olympics having offset the timing of winter games. Until 1992, the summer and winter games were both held every four years in leap years; 1994 marked the first winter games to be held in the alternate even number year.
By holding such a major global event every two years, we can count on the Canadian broadcaster to bring us a demonstration of the latest technologies, integrating TV, internet and mobile platforms. I don’t think I could stand to wait 4 years between each cycle and I prefer the thrill of being dazzled with new technologies all associated with one event. I suppose the alternative is that more of these capabilities would be trickled out to us with the Super Bowl, elections or some reality talent show; I like the shock and awe approach with special events such as the Olympics.
I only have access to one TV station at my summer residence. Fortunately, it is the official broadcaster of the Olympics. But I expect to be following along on-line as well, accessing the feeds to obscure teams playing in equally obscure events.
I noticed that some of my twitter buddies are already in London to shepherd their teams of people covering the event; for the bulk of us, we will be relying on the latest innovations in converged platform program delivery to follow along.
Let the games begin.