How Twitter has changed the Olympics
Twitter will give the watching world a view inside the Olympic Games that has not been possible before – Channel 4 News has a peek to see what you’ll find.
At the last Olympic and Paralympic Games, held in Beijing four years ago, there were around four million Twitter users in the world. Today the micro-blogging website has more than 500 million users.
For the first time the public can, if they so wish, follow a day-by-day, tweet-by-tweet, account of what is happening behind the scenes in the Olympic venues, reported to them by the athletes.
Around 80 per cent of Team GB’s Olympic athletes are active users of Twitter, which has led to a flurry of tweets from inside the Olympic Village.
Indeed the International Olympic Committee (IOC) revamped its social media guidelines ahead of this year’s Games to embrace what will be the most social sporting spectacular in history.
Ahead of today’s opening ceremony, athletes have been taking to Twitter to chronicle the events taking place in the Olympic Park.
Twitter, for those who are interested, provides a near-endless treasure trove of Olympic insights. From British fencer Natalia Sheppard tweeting a video of the New Zealand team performing the haka in the Olympic village to weightlifter Zoe Smith sharing: “Why does sitting on the floor in your towel or pants always feel like the most practical thing to do after getting out the shower?”
Tweets sent today by Team GB include a picture of Ciaran James and the water polo squad posing with Usain Bolt (above left), and diver Rebecca Gallantree relaxing with her “Pride the Lion” soft toy (right).
Mostly the athletes are using Twitter to thank their supporters, express excitement about the night ahead, and often to organise where they are going to meet their team mates.
Just arrived in the village, it looks amazing. Everyone is buzzing, can’t wait for this evening!
— Chris Hoy (@chrishoy) July 27, 2012
Outside the Team GB squad, US swimmer Michael Phelps and Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt are also regular tweeters. Below Channel 4 News list some of the tweets being sent out by Team GB
@zacpurchase (rower)
Can’t wait to put on my @TeamGB opening ceremony outfit!! It’s so brilliantly bling! #OurGreatestTeam pics to follow later!
@JessicaWalker10 (canoeist)
I am so happy to have met my childhood hero and the most beautiful woman i have met Denise Lewis!!
@KirkbridePeter (weightlifter)
Boom just met micah richards this had made my day!
Having a very girly day, all of us-@SophieAllen12 @KeriannePayne @SwimAmySmith doing our nails :-)
— Rebecca Adlington (@BeckAdlington) July 27, 2012
@PhillipsIdowu (triple jumper)
I rarely acknowledge it, but yes this will be my 4th Olympic games. Not showing my age cuz my 1st one I was 13 :p
@MarkCavendish (cyclist)
115km training ride with 2 laps of Box Hill. So lifting to ride with a team of 4 TdF stage winners, 1st & 2nd overall & British Champion!
Access the Channel 4 News London 2012 Twitter list by clicking here.
