New Media and the Olympics

(Atlanta, GA) The impact of new media on the Olympic Movement has yet to be fully measured, but the proliferation of websites, blogs and mobile platforms suggests a new era has arrived for Olympics communication. Around the Rings examines how new media has effected a sea change in just a few short years.

"In the past TV, radio and newspapers were the media forces for coverage of the Olympics," says Editor Ed Hula. "But that has all changed with the rapid growth of new media and the convergence of the three media into internet-delivered coverage."

ATR's four-part series begins Thursday, November 22, with a look at the use of websites. The series runs through November 25 and will be available at AroundTheRings.com.

Looking at the world of subscription-based new media, Part Two focuses on RSS feeds, e-mails, and podcasts. ATR talks to World Championship Sporting Network about its role in developing and promoting Olympic sports through the web. The Australian Olympic Committee's efforts to promote the Beijing Olympic through new media will also be highlighted.

"The new media will change the way people view the Olympics. TV is still king, but soon new ways of viewing the moving images of the Games will take over," says Hula.

In the world of international sports federations, ATR looks at how the International Triathlon Union has adopted new media through live online event coverage and downloads, and International Equestrian Federation's use of e-mails to distribute news.

"The growth of new media platforms has also meant new possibilities outside the time of the Olympics for sports on the Games program to promote themselves," says Hula.

Part Three in the series looks at user-generated content. These so-called web 2.0 media may be an essential part of reaching the demographic. Part Four looks at 2008 and opportunities to test mobile content.

Around the Rings is the only publication devoted to providing original, on-the-scene reporting about the $5 billion dollar business of the Olympic Movement.

Ed Hula is available for interviews. Contact Sheila S. Hula, via email [email protected], or call ++1 404.874.1603, ext. 12.

For a two-week trial subscription of Around the Rings, contact Laura Grundy, [email protected] or call ++1 404.874.1603, ext. 17.

Your best source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, since 1992.