IT to play Olympic role

13:56 27th October 2008

IT is set to play a key role in the London Olympic Games, according to a member of the 2012 delivery programme.

Speaking at a Westminster event on the use of technology at London's 2012 games, BT's vice president of strategy for the Olympics, Stuart Hill revealed plans to exploit new media technologies to increase access and participation in the Games, Computer Weekly has reported.

The use of Web 2.0, internet protocol television and internet-enabled mobile phones is on the right track to be successful according to Mr Hill, who also indicated that years of practice means that IT staff should be experienced in creating IT networks for the event.

Mr Hill indicated that simple IT systems would be good for the Games.

He said: "I don't think providing lots of gizmos coming up to the Games is a good thing to be doing. It's all about the athletes and communicating the results of events."

Last week, experts at Cern laboratory suggested that a global computer grid could, in the future, be used to protect the world against disease pandemics and natural disasters.