News agency AFP has provided some of the statistics of its real-time coverage of the London Olympics, which will involve putting out 400-500 stories a day and 1000 videos.
The agency says it will have 180 journalists in the British capital in an operation for which planning started when London was named as the host city in 2005.
The more than 1000 videos in six languages will be the product of a dozen teams of video reporters assigned to cover the build-up to the Games as well as the personalities involved. In addition, clients will receive daily schedules of all our coverage and comprehensive round-ups of all the day's events.
In photos, 70 AFP photographers from 24 countries are flying in to provide up to 2000 pictures a day, with unprecedented technical infrastructure ensuring clients can access photos practically in real time. A dozen remote-controlled cameras have been positioned at the bottom of the Olympics swimming pool, and in the rafters, to give a whole new perspective on one of the most-watched events at the Games.
In text, between 400 to 500 stories will be transmitted a day in six languages (Arabic, English, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish).
Web and mobile clients will monitor events in real time, with daily Live Reports in both English and French. The opening ceremony will also be covered by a Live Report in Spanish. ‘Rich media’ articles, comprising weblinks and videos as well as Games-dedicated content, have been designed to enhance Online News content. AFP Graphics will at the same time provide the results, key moments, winners and the overall medal table.
In addition, blogs focusing exclusively on the Games will be updated by AFP staff on the ground and offices around the world. To familiarise the public with the Olympic City, its daring architecture, its ethnic diversity, its 1001 green spaces, its sometimes chaotic public transport and its never-ending artistic creativity, a web documentary, ‘London etc.’ has been created by AFP’s London office.
AFP is also launching an iPhone and iPad application for live coverage of events throughout the Games. In particular a selection of articles illustrated with videos and photos, the latest results, the schedule of events and the medals table.