Twitter’s dedicated #Olympics hashtag tracking page.
I am a big fan of the Olympic games, even spent a semester of my undergrad career interning with Chicago 2016’s Olympic bid committee. However, last Friday I started to see updates on Twitter about the Opening Ceremonies, including pictures and surprises. Planning to watch the Opening Ceremony later that evening, I was disappointed to see the updates, but it made me realize how social media is changing the world we live in.
Since the last summer Olympics in Bejing in 2008, the world of Twitter has grown from about 4-5 million users to over 500 million users. Knowing Twitter and social media could play a big role in the Olympic Games this year, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) created their own social media accounts and initiatives to keep spectators and the media up to date on the happenings during the games.
Twitter even created a page where all Tweets hashtagged with #Olympics would show up, whether it is from an athlete, spectator or news station, followers can stay informed on the current happenings in London. Additionally, NBC will periodically showcase Tweets from USA athletes during their newscasts, even Twitter’s official blog pulled together a series of pictures Olympic athletes (and Paul McCartney) posted during the opening ceremonies.
Twitter has been a great way to allow spectators to connect with the athletes and hear their thoughts as they compete; however, it also has caused problems. Athletes are using the platform to say whatever they want and that has caused two athletes to be expelled from the games by the IOC due to distasteful tweets.
While the social media usage during London 2012 has been both positive and negative, the IOC cannot control each athlete. IOC spokesman Mark Adams stated, “The Olympic ruling [body] would continue to encourage the use of social media around the Games and was probably powerless to stop it even if it wanted to.”
While the constant Twitter updates have ruined some surprises of the games, the embracing of social media creates a buzz around the Games that keeps spectators informed and connected with the happenings in London.