By FREDRICK OBURA
Kenyans unable to travel to London for the 2012 Olympic games are lucky.
They will be able to catch up with the event on their mobile phones or computers in real time at no cost.
The live-streaming comes as a relief to over six million local users with access to Internet but cannot afford accommodation and transport to London to cheer their world known athletes on the pitch.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will live-stream the London 2012 Olympic Games in 64 territories on the IOC’s channel on YouTube.
Live coverage
During the event slated for July 27 to August 12, Internet subsribers in 64 territories across Asia and Africa will be able to enjoy live coverage of the events as well as highlight clips on this digital platform.
Viewers from will be able to watch the streams on the IOC’s YouTube channel, accessible online or Internet enabled devices like smart devices/mobile phones and other YouTube-enabled devices.
The live-streaming on the IOC’s YouTube channel will provide exclusive digital access in Sub-Saharan African territories where digital broadcast rights have not already been acquired by the IOC’s broadcast partners.
They include Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Nigeria among other nations.
“We are delighted to be able to offer live online coverage of London 2012 to sports fans free of charge across these markets,” said Timo Lumme, managing director, IOC television and marketing.
english commentary
“The live streaming will consist of 11 different simultaneous high-definition broadcasts, all with an English language commentary,” Lumme said.
“There will be ten live feeds from London 2012, running from 9am to 11pm London time on some days.”
“This will start early or finish later based on competition schedule, plus a 24-hour broadcast of the Olympic News Channel, which includes summaries of the latest results, general reports on different events, and interviews with athletes.”
Lumme said fans will also be able to catch up on highlights and full events, in total, the IOC’s YouTube channel will offer over 2,200 hours of sporting event coverage including all the medals finals.”
Local athletics chiefs decided to hold their Olympics 10,000m trials at the low altitude venue of Oregon at the IAAF Diamond League.
The idea of switching venues away from the high altitude of Nairobi was to ensure the best athletes represent the country in London rather than the ones who adapt to the conditions best on the day, but then fail to bring home gold.
“This will be the like the Olympic final. I can say the top three in Oregon can easily be the top three at the Olympics in London,” Titus Mbishei, a former world junior silver medallist in cross country and track said at their camp in Nairobi shortly before departing for the US.
