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Tech Companies Eyeing '24 Games To Bring Virtual Reality To Olympic Viewers

If technology progresses "as developers in Silicon Valley expect it will, virtual reality could put spectators in the middle of Olympic action" by the '24 Games, according to Shira Springer of the BOSTON GLOBE. The Olympics "appear an ideal fit for virtual reality," as individual sports "offer the greatest potential for truly immersive experiences." California-based STRIVR Labs Founder & CEO Derek Belch said, "Nine years from now, we easily could be in a situation where there’s no need to attend events live and in person." Springer notes virtual reality "could appeal to fans who want to be there, but can’t go or get tickets to the high-demand events." The Olympic Broadcasting Services has said that it will "explore potential virtual viewing opportunities" at the '16 Rio Games, though experts noted that "likely will mean post-event highlight packages with limited testing of live coverage." Live virtual viewing has already "been tried in the Olympic sports of gymnastics, golf, and basketball." At the '14 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the BBC "captured gymnastics footage with a 360-degree camera and transmitted it in real time to a headset at the Glasgow Science Centre." California-based NextVR in June "partnered with Fox Sports to deliver live streaming virtual coverage" of the '15 U.S. Open golf tournament. While headsets and home setups "could be commonplace" by '24, gathering places for virtual viewing "could still be enticing options." But progress must first be "made in the real world." For starters, 360-degree cameras "need to capture even better-looking footage and become more compact so they go essentially unnoticed by athletes and ticket-buying spectators." Headsets "need to shrink, too." Venues also "need to be designed with virtual reality in mind" (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/27).

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