Last spring, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) presented what has been named the “Olympic AI Agenda” – a strategic document that revolves around artificial intelligence.
– AI can help identify athletes and talents in all corners of the world. AI can give more athletes access to personalized training methods, better equipment and more individualized programs to stay healthy and whole, IOC President Thomas Bach said in his speech.
There he also mentioned things beyond the part relating to pure sporting performance. For example, a potential revolution in judging, which could make certain sports more fair, and that AI could in the future make the audience experience “much more individualized and immersive”.
Thomas Bach presents the “Olympic AI Agenda” in London on April 19. Photo: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP
Åsa Edlund Jönsson is general secretary of the Swedish Olympic Committee (SOK), and has participated in several meetings in an international context where AI is discussed.
– I think one of the basic ideas of the IOC is to ensure equal access to the benefits of AI, so that it does not create a sports world that drifts apart. We believe in an Olympic movement with many nations participating and competing, she says.
Facts.”Olympic AI Agenda” – five focus areas
1. Support athletes, clean sport and “safe sport”.
2. Ensuring equal access to the benefits of AI.
3. Optimize the work with the Olympic and Paralympics events with a focus on sustainability.
4. Growing engagement with the audience.
5. Improve the efficiency of administration within the IOC and within sport.
Source: International Olympic Committee (IOC).
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At the same time, Edlund Jönsson points to a difference for sports compared to many other industries that are also looking towards AI.
– The advantage for those of us who work in sports is that it is not about rationalizing people away, as it might be done in some other businesses. It is Sarah Sjöström who will swim 50 free in the pool – not AI.
– On the other hand, perhaps AI can provide access to more individually adapted training methods, or a training plan that can prevent injuries. Perhaps in the long run AI can contribute to fairer assessments in judging sports, and strengthen the safety of those active in and outside the arena.
– Then it will look completely different for different countries.
Sarah Sjöström will not be replaced by AI. Photo: Erik Simander
So how would AI be able to help and potentially improve sport and the Olympics in Sweden?
– We are a small country. We have few residents, notes Åsa Edlund Jönsson.
She continues:
– If we are to continue to do well at the Olympic level, we need to make use of the talents that exist, but also the athletes who are prepared to put their heart and soul into a venture – who are willing to do the work. It is not enough to be a talent. You need to be motivated, you need to have the mental capacity, you need to have the right coach and conditions. Maybe you have to move.
– Then one can ask: Are sports fully successful with this today? Do you have the same opportunity to show off your skills if you live in a sparsely populated area in northern Sweden compared to Stockholm? Do you have access to equally good trainers if you live in a smaller town?
Åsa Edlund Jönsson answers herself:
– Maybe, maybe not.
This is what SOK’s general secretary believes that AI “may be able to help even out differences, and maybe help more people”. Perhaps through a kind of AI trainer for those who live in sparsely populated areas but are ready to make the necessary investment.
– Another part for Sweden is that we need athletes who do more than one Olympics. Since we don’t have that many to choose from, we would like an Olympian to be an Olympian at several games, says Åsa Edlund Jönsson.
– There we hope that in the long term AI can contribute to strengthening the injury prevention work, so that an athlete can last a long time.
Åsa Edlund Jönsson at the men’s team final in table tennis (which Sweden eventually lost to China) during the summer Olympics in Paris. Photo: Joel Marklund/Bildbyrån
Åsa Edlund Jönsson tells that other countries’ national Olympic committees partially expressed other thoughts and wishes in this context. For example, it could be about larger nations, with more inhabitants, which have difficulty finding and capturing potentially talented athletes.
– We are 206 national Olympic committees, she states.
– Here you have the USA, which has won the most medals of all time, Nauru, which has 12,000 inhabitants, and everything in between. It is clear that with these 206 there are a lot of different thoughts about how AI can contribute or not contribute to sports.
It goes at the same time to state that AI has already been implemented in the Olympic movement. DN has previously told how the athletes during the Paris Olympics were protected from online hate through AI technology that scanned thousands of accounts on social media.
At the same time wrote Sportbladet about a press conference in the French capital during the Games, where the IOC under the heading “AI and talent development” talked about the idea of a web application, which was tested in collaboration with the IT giant Intel and the Olympic Committee of Senegal.
Senegal will host the Youth Olympics in the summer of 2026. Originally, the idea was 2022 – but it was then postponed. Photo: Ricardo Ceppi/TT
Intel writes on its website that visits were made to six villages around Senegal where the app was used to “analyze the physical ability of over 1,000 children”. It also describes how the company then analyzes and assesses each video with the help of AI.
The company describes the results of the test in Senegal with the words: “Of the 1,000 children who participated in the initiative, 40 showed significant talent.”
Åsa Edlund Jönsson tells that it was all raised at a meeting with the national Olympic committees of the European countries last autumn.
– Exactly what that test will lead to, it is not at all clear. There is no app that has been rolled out to us. There is no dialogue with us National Olympic Committees that this is something that we would request as a first step.
Åsa Edlund Jönsson: “When it comes to filming young athletes, you have to remember that it already happens to a fairly large extent in Sweden. Many youth matches and competitions are broadcast live today.” Photo: Emma Wallskog/Bildbyrån
The SOK’s general secretary continues:
– There is clearly a hope that in the long term AI will make it easier to find talent in sports. What a talent now is.
– We at SOK do not have any discussions about wanting an app where we could film young people. It can be a priority track for other countries with different conditions and wishes.
– But not from our side. Then we have other priority areas.
Read more:
AI will protect the Olympic stars against online hate – thousands of accounts are scanned in real time
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The Olympic AI Agenda: Pixels and Performance
So, the Olympic Committee has decided to throw AI into the mix like it’s a new flavor of Gatorade at the Olympic trials! Yes, last spring, the *International Olympic Committee* (IOC) presented the Olympic AI Agenda—a fancy little document charting a brave new world where robots might just compete with real, sweaty humans. We’ve gotta love it! But let’s not replace the athletes just yet. I mean, Sarah Sjöström may be fast in the pool, but I’m not sure she’s ready to be outswum by a swimming algorithm.
AI on the Podium
According to IOC President Thomas Bach, AI is touted to pinpoint hidden athletic gems lurking in the corners of the globe. “AI can give more athletes access to personalized training methods,” said Bach, presumably while clutching a silicon motherboard and a dream. It’s like saying, “Hey, we’ll give you a coach in your pocket, which is great until your coach starts giving you AI-generated pep talks that lack, you know, *human emotions*.
But who wouldn’t want better training methods and a warmer embrace from a coaching algorithm? It’s like having a gym buddy who actually knows when to tell you to hit the showers instead of just encouraging yet another set of squats! And by “judging,” they also mean a world where judges won’t have to worry about making a call under the pressure of not being on the front page of every tabloid.
Equal Play for All!
Ah yes, fairness in sports. That’s rich! Åsa Edlund Jönsson, the General Secretary of the Swedish Olympic Committee, chimed in, emphasizing equal access to the AI goodies, because who doesn’t want their neighbor’s AI to outperform their own, right? Imagine a sports world where the rich kid gets the top coaching program while the kid from Stockholm just hopes his mom’s homemade protein bars can cut it. Oh, we *know* this script.
Edlund Jönsson stressed, “Are sports fully successful today? Do you have equal opportunities in rural northern Sweden versus sparkling Stockholm?” It’s almost Shakespearean; “To coach or not to coach, that is the question.” We can only hope AI can level the playing field—because let’s face it, asking a football legend to coach from a remote cabin doesn’t sound like a victory parade waiting to happen.
Staying in the Game
Now let’s get it straight: AI will not throw on a swimsuit or curl up in a pile of 12-ton weights to do your heavy lifting. It can, however, help athletes stretch their careers. Picture AI finding the perfect training program to prevent injuries—now that’s just the plot twist we need! Six Games in Six Years sounds infinitely better than “retirement by 30.”
But let’s be real—how do we quantify *talent*? Does a robot judge determine if someone has the spirit of an Olympian? I can already hear the algorithms arguing over athleticism versus sheer willpower. Talk about a digital drama!
Global Gameplay
Oh, and don’t forget the absurdity of this global system! You’ve got the USA with gold medals hanging off their necks like bling in a hip-hop video but barely managing to find a talent lurking in the shadows of Nauru—pop. 12,000. Imagine that talent search: “Excuse me, are you Olympic material, or just looking for a snack?”
Offline AI? No Problem!
And here’s where it gets juicy! AI is already at play in the Olympic movement. Yes, **the IOC is busy fighting online trolls** who dare to speak ill of athletes like Sarah. I mean, how revolutionary! Instead of tackling the trolls manually, they’ve just outsourced the task to AI. Bravo! Because who doesn’t want robots protecting our athletes from bad tweets?
Wrapping It Up
So, what’s the takeaway? We’ve got a delightful blend of artistry and technology that might just revolutionize the Olympics—until your training algorithm runs out of battery. But the real question remains: can a machine replicate the grit of an athlete battling to bring home the gold? Or will it simply end up as another soft serve in the vending machine of sports history?
Keep your eyes peeled for this Olympic AI spectacle. Who knows? You might just see athletes tossing a javelin in sync with AI analyzing their throw while offering complimentary hydration recommendations—all while you sit back on your couch with a bag of chips pondering your own potential Olympic spirit.
Last spring, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) unveiled a forward-thinking initiative dubbed the “Olympic AI Agenda” – a comprehensive strategic framework focusing on the integration of artificial intelligence in various aspects of the Olympic movement.
– In his compelling speech, IOC President Thomas Bach emphasized the transformative potential of AI in sports, stating that it can play a pivotal role in discovering talented athletes across the globe. Additionally, AI technology can democratize athletic training by providing more customized training regimens, advanced equipment, and tailored health programs for athletes, thereby promoting their overall well-being.
During his presentation, Bach also touched upon groundbreaking changes that extend beyond mere athletic performance. He highlighted a potential shift in judging processes that could enhance fairness across numerous sports disciplines, asserting that AI has the capacity to create a more “individualized and immersive” experience for spectators in the future.
Thomas Bach presents the “Olympic AI Agenda” in London on April 19. Photo: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP
Åsa Edlund Jönsson is the general secretary of the Swedish Olympic Committee (SOK), actively contributing to international discussions surrounding AI’s role in sports.
– The IOC’s core mission includes fostering equal access to AI advancements, ensuring that the benefits of these technologies do not widen the gap between nations, she explained. Our vision is for an Olympic movement where athletes from diverse countries can compete and thrive on the same level.
Facts: “Olympic AI Agenda” – Five Focus Areas
1. Support athletes, promote clean sport, and establish “safe sport” environments.
2. Ensure equitable access to AI benefits across nations.
3. Optimize the organization and execution of the Olympic and Paralympic events with sustainability in mind.
4. Enhance audience engagement and interaction.
5. Improve administrative efficiency within the IOC and the broader sporting community.
Source: International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Åsa Edlund Jönsson points out a distinct challenge faced by the sports sector compared to other industries adopting AI technology.
– The landscape of sports offers a unique advantage; our focus isn’t on reducing human involvement, unlike some sectors where efficiency improvements may lead to workforce downsizing. It’s ultimately athletes like Sarah Sjöström who will compete in the pool, not AI.
– Nevertheless, AI can facilitate access to more personalized training programs designed to mitigate injury risks. Over time, AI could lead to more equitable judging practices and strengthen safety measures for participants both on and off the field.
Åsa Edlund Jönsson acknowledges the geographical disparities that exist within Sweden’s sporting landscape.
– As a small nation with a limited population, we need to harness not only the talents we possess but also the commitment of athletes willing to fully dedicate themselves to their sport. Talent alone is insufficient; motivation, mental resilience, access to skilled coaching, and appropriate conditions are essential for success.
– This raises the question: Are our sports systems fully equipped to provide equal opportunities, especially for athletes residing in remote northern regions compared to those in urban centers like Stockholm? Do these athletes have access to high-quality coaching in smaller towns?
Åsa Edlund Jönsson responds timely:
– The answer is uncertain.
This is what SOK’s general secretary believes that AI “may help bridge gaps,” potentially benefiting athletes in less populated areas who are willing to invest in their training.
– Moreover, Sweden requires athletes capable of participating in multiple Olympic Games. Given our limited pool, our aim is for each Olympian to achieve success across several competitions, Åsa Edlund Jönsson emphasizes.
– We anticipate that AI could play a significant role in enhancing injury prevention initiatives, enabling athletes to sustain their careers over a longer haul.
Åsa Edlund Jönsson highlights diverse perspectives shared by other national Olympic committees during discussions.
– We represent 206 national Olympic committees globally, she clarifies.
– Within this mix, you have powerhouse nations like the USA, which holds the record for the most Olympic medals, alongside smaller nations like Nauru, with a mere 12,000 inhabitants, showcasing the varied expectations and aspirations regarding AI in sports across different countries.
Moreover, it’s noteworthy that AI has already begun making waves within the Olympic landscape. Previous reports have documented how technology was employed to protect athletes during the Paris Olympics from online harassment, with AI tools scanning thousands of social media accounts.
Additionally, it was reported how a collaboration between the IOC, IT giant Intel, and the Senegalese Olympic Committee aimed at leveraging an AI-supported app to identify emerging sports talent.
Senegal is slated to host the Youth Olympics in summer 2026, a multi-sport event designed to highlight youth talent and was originally scheduled for 2022 but postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. Photo: Ricardo Ceppi/TT
Intel shared that visits were conducted across six villages in Senegal, utilizing the app to “assess the physical capabilities of over 1,000 children.” The AI technology then analyzed footage to identify promising talent.
The results were promising, revealing that “of the 1,000 children who participated in the initiative, 40 exhibited significant sporting potential.”
Åsa Edlund Jönsson further explains that this topic arose at a recent meeting involving national Olympic committees from across Europe last fall.
– The path forward following this initiative remains ambiguous. There hasn’t been a formal rollout of the app to any of us National Olympic Committees, nor has there been a discussion about prioritizing this project at our level.
Åsa Edlund Jönsson continues:
– It’s important to remember that filming young athletes is already prevalent in Sweden, with many youth competitions and matches being broadcast live today, showcasing our existing commitment to youth sports.
The SOK’s general secretary reiterates:
– There is a palpable hope that AI will ultimately simplify the process of identifying sporting talent. However, we must clarify that what constitutes “a talent” is ever-evolving.
– Currently, at SOK, we are not seeking an app for actively filming young athletes, as this initiative does not align with our immediate goals and priorities.
Read more:
AI will protect the Olympic stars against online hate – thousands of accounts are scanned in real time
The new SOK director on the summer’s selection criticism: “A tragedy.”
What impact will AI have on young athletes’ performance and opportunities at the postponed Olympic event?
Duled to take place in 2022 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This event will be a critical moment for showcasing young athletes, and the integration of AI could help level the playing field, providing tools and insights that might have been unavailable to them otherwise.
As the world of sports continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how effectively AI can fulfill its promises. Will it bring about the long-awaited equal access and opportunity that Edlund Jönsson envisions? Or will it merely be another layer of complexity in the already intricate fabric of competitive athletics? Regardless, one thing is clear: the conversation surrounding AI’s role in sports is just beginning, and its implications will echo throughout the Olympic movement for years to come.
So, keep your popcorn ready and your remote control at hand, for the Olympics are not just about medal tallies anymore. They’re set to become a dazzling showcase of human perseverance and technological innovation, disrupting traditions while posing new questions about fairness, equity, and excellence in sport. In this age of smart technology, are we ready for robots to redefine what it means to be athletic? Or will we remain steadfast in our belief that the heart—the indomitable spirit of the human athlete—cannot be replicated by a series of algorithms? Only time will tell.
