The cloud-based digital flame at Gangwon 2024. Photo credit: Gangwon 2024

Alibaba Cloud is supporting the Winter Youth Olympic Games Gangwon 2024, the first Winter Youth Olympic Games in Asia, to increase efficiency and engagement with its latest cloud technologies.

The Gangwon 2024 Organizing Committee has deployed its major operation platforms, including a staff management portal and ticketing system, on Alibaba Cloud to optimize efficiency. Alibaba Cloud is also bringing a cloud-based digital flame to sports fans worldwide to drive engagement.

The event will take place in the Gangwon province in the cities of Pyeongchang and Gangneung, home to the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, from Jan. 19 to Feb. 1, bringing together over 1,900 athletes between the ages of 15 and 18. Hailing from 81 countries, they will participate in 15 disciplines, including alpine skiing and curling.

“At Gangwon 2024, our technology will not only make event organization more efficient, but also give participants, including athletes, staffs, volunteers and sports fans an unforgettable experience,” said Selina Yuan, President of International Business at Alibaba Cloud, in a release.

Boosting Operational Efficiency

To help the Gangwon 2024 Organising Committee streamline its workflow, Alibaba Cloud built an integrated platform for staff and volunteer management and volunteer recruitment to facilitate internal collaboration in the leadup to and throughout Gangwon 2024.

The platform provides customized features, including staff and volunteer training, announcement alerts via web app and SMS, as well as scheduling and attendance management. Hosted on Alibaba Cloud, it has ensured the effective collaboration of over 5,000 staff and volunteers at Gangwon 2024.

The Gangwon 2024 Organizing Committee has also deployed its ticketing system on Alibaba Cloud to ensure uninterrupted services for over 460,000 spectators during the 14-day games, even during high-traffic scenarios such as ticket sales campaigns and on-site ticket checking.

Engaging Digital Experience

At Gangwon 2024, the audience can see a cloud-based digital flame alongside the Olympic flame at the Opening Ceremony, enabled by the content management system built by and hosted on Alibaba Cloud.

By integrating real-time weather data, the backdrop of the digital flame changes to match the weather conditions in Gangwon. The digital flame, displayed at the Olympic Park in Gangwon, will be lit throughout Gangwon 2024.

Building upon its partnership with the Olympic Games since 2017, Alibaba Cloud is partnering with the Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) to ensure a smooth broadcasting of Gangwon 2024.

OBS Cloud, a broadcasting solution brought together by OBS and Alibaba Cloud, will transmit high-definition live signals of the competitions to the Media Rights Holders via Live Cloud, an innovative technology for global contribution for live content.

“Our ongoing partnership with Alibaba Cloud enables us to continue exploring creative ways to engage with our worldwide audience and sports fans, while enhancing operational efficiency using the latest proven cloud technologies,” said Anne-Sophie Voumard, Managing Director of IOC Television & Marketing Services.

Read more about Alibaba Cloud’s support for the Olympics here