As the world’s top athletes gathered in Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games, millions of viewers tuned in to watch the action unfold. However, for many, the experience was marred by a series of broadcasting issues that left them feeling frustrated and disappointed. The Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), responsible for filming and distributing the Olympic Games to broadcasters around the world, has been criticized for its handling of the event. The OBS is tasked with capturing all the competitions in real-time, editing them, and enhancing them with graphics and animations. However, this process has been plagued by technical issues, making it difficult for viewers to follow the action.
One of the most common complaints has been the frequent switching between events. Viewers have reported being abruptly cut off from a live competition to watch a different event, often without warning. This has led to a sense of disconnection and confusion, making it difficult to follow the progress of individual athletes or teams. For example, during the gymnastics competition, viewers were suddenly switched to a different event, leaving them unsure of what was happening in the gymnastics arena. This lack of continuity has made it difficult for viewers to become invested in the competition and has led to a sense of frustration and disappointment.
Another issue has been the poor camera work. During tennis matches, for example, the camera has often focused on close-ups of the players’ faces or rackets, rather than showing the entire court. This has made it difficult for viewers to understand the flow of the game and the strategies being employed by the players. The camera work has also been criticized for being too static, with the camera often staying in one position for too long, rather than moving around the court to capture the action. This has made the viewing experience feel dull and unengaging, rather than exciting and dynamic.
The OBS has also been criticized for its handling of scoreboards. In some cases, the scoreboards have been delayed, leaving viewers unsure of the current score or the progress of the competition. This has added to the sense of frustration and confusion, making it difficult for viewers to follow the action. For example, during the basketball competition, the scoreboard was delayed by several minutes, leaving viewers unsure of the current score or the progress of the game. This lack of transparency has made it difficult for viewers to become invested in the competition and has led to a sense of frustration and disappointment.
Technical malfunctions have also been a problem. During the triathlon, for example, the Seine River was closed due to concerns about water quality, causing the event to be delayed. This was a major setback for the athletes and viewers alike, and highlighted the need for better planning and preparation. The OBS has also been criticized for its handling of the broadcasting equipment, with some viewers reporting issues with the audio and video quality. This has made it difficult for viewers to fully appreciate the action on the field, and has led to a sense of frustration and disappointment.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has also come under fire for its handling of the broadcasting. The IOC is responsible for overseeing the Olympic Games and ensuring that they are run smoothly. However, its handling of the broadcasting has been criticized for being inconsistent and confusing. The IOC has been accused of prioritizing the broadcasting of certain events over others, leading to a lack of coverage of some sports and competitions. This has made it difficult for viewers to follow the action and has led to a sense of frustration and disappointment.
The 100m final, one of the most highly anticipated events of the Olympic Games, has been particularly affected by the broadcasting issues. Viewers have reported difficulty finding the event, and once they did, they were often treated to poor camera work and confusing commentary. This has made it difficult for viewers to fully appreciate the excitement and drama of the event. The 100m final is often referred to as the “event of the century,” and its broadcasting is a major priority for the IOC and OBS. However, the issues with the broadcasting have made it difficult for viewers to fully enjoy the event, and has led to a sense of frustration and disappointment.
The lack of consistency in the broadcasting has also been a major issue. Viewers have reported that the broadcasting has been inconsistent, with some events being broadcast in high definition, while others are broadcast in standard definition. This has made it difficult for viewers to fully appreciate the action on the field, and has led to a sense of frustration and disappointment. The IOC and OBS have been criticized for not providing a consistent broadcasting experience, and for not prioritizing the needs of the viewers.
In conclusion, the Olympic Broadcasting Services and the International Olympic Committee have a lot to answer for when it comes to the 2024 Olympic Games. The frequent switching between events, poor camera work, delayed scoreboards, and technical malfunctions have all contributed to a frustrating experience for viewers. While the IOC and OBS have implemented measures to address these issues, more needs to be done to ensure that the broadcasting of the Olympic Games is of the highest quality. The IOC and OBS must prioritize the needs of the viewers, and work to provide a consistent and high-quality broadcasting experience. Only then can the Olympic Games truly be enjoyed by all.