Bound For Beijing

Technology will play a part at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in a way it never has before.

You might now be thinking of athletes using high tech performance enhancing drugs or means to avoid detection. Or, you might be thinking of the fantastic shows that will be put on during the opening and closing ceremonies.

In fact, technology will play a understated but significant role in reporting the Olympics.

It has never been easier for individuals to disseminate information to the world. Laptops, cell phones and the Internet will make it a snap for Citizen Journalists attending the events to send that information home to friends and family, or post it up to a blog or website.

Up until now, the old media barons of television and newspaper publishing have held a stranglehold on who sees and reads about what events. Part of this is due to restrictions on how much can actually be shown.

But money also plays a part. Events that might not be mainstream sports simply don’t get much coverage. After all, ratings brings in the advertisers who want the most eyes for their products.

New media changes all that.

With video clips from all events speeding through the ether from cell phone to website, there will be much more coverage for all to see.

With the explosion of the blog phenomenon, there will be far more ‘channels’ to view and read about the events. And, instead of getting the paid opinion of a network TV talking head, there will be a multitude of views to choose from, some informed… some not so much.

We here at Bound for Beijing invite you to take part in this new media coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games. While we don’t have the good fortune to attend in person, we’ll be watching the sources, and presenting that information to you.

And, if you are one of the lucky ones Bound for Beijing this summer, please feel free to send a SMS, cell phone photo, or even a commentary to share with our community.

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