Tour de France 2020, the three-week race that takes place from 29 Aug. to 20 Sept. 2020, is not giving up. While lockdowns and travel measures restrict global fans from seeing their favorite sport, the organizers see it as another hill to overcome. And it is using new technological innovation to bring the sport to the fans at their homes.
The company tasked to do this is NTT Ltd. As the official technology partner to A.S.O., it will deploy technologies that will allow global fans to follow the race from their homes and become part of what it calls a ‘global stadium’ experience. And NTT, whose employees are also facing travel restrictions, will operate from five continents to support during the event.
A.S.O. believes that the new technological innovation will help the sports in other ways. “We can use technology to ensure the fan experience is richer than ever. These changes are good for the world. For example, if we can use the Tour de France as a platform to accelerate cycling in cities, we can improve people’s health and lessen our impact on the environment,” said Yann Le Moenner, chief executive at A.S.O.
To create a digital ‘global stadium’ for fans, NTT will:
NTT’s managed services will safeguard the race operations. Managed collaboration services will bring together the support teams from different continents, while the secure-by-design approach will offer real-time threat management, ensuring security.
NTT sees the innovation changing how sporting events will be staged in the coming years. “The approach we are taking at the Tour de France this year will revolutionize how sporting events are delivered in the future. We are using technology to take the fan experience to the next level. The new challenges we’ve addressed in preparing for this year’s race are inspiring our team to develop many more fantastic ideas to attract a new generation of digitally savvy fans,” said Ruth Rowan, chief marketing officer at NTT Ltd.
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