CHINA'S ROBOT ARMY ASSEMBLES FOR WORLD ROBOTIC GAMES 2026 | BEHIND THE SCENES

 

INSIDE FIFA'S WORLD CUP TECHNOLOGY

CHINA'S AI TECHNOLOGY POWERS MILANO CORTINA OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES

Cross country skiers make their way in heavy snowfall on a track parallel to the mountain pass road near Toblach running between the Olympic venues in Cortina and Antholz, northern Italy, January 25, 2026. /VCG

According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the first official large language model in Olympic history, developed with technical support from Chinese companies, has been deployed simultaneously for professional Games operations and public services.

On the operations side, an AI assistant allows members of national Olympic delegations to access official information simply by asking questions in their native languages, significantly improving coordination and preparation efficiency.

For the public, the "Olympic AI Assistant" is available worldwide, providing real-time, accurate answers to questions about competition rules, Olympic history, and other Games-related information.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry said the IOC has launched the first official large language model in Olympic history. She expressed appreciation for China's technological support, noting it is helping make the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games one of the smartest Olympic Games ever while opening up new possibilities for the Olympic Movement.

Beyond public services, Chinese AI technology is also deeply integrated into the Games' broadcast coverage. AI-enabled technologies, such as "bullet time," have been deployed at 10 core venues, covering more than two-thirds of competition events, including alpine skiing, snowboarding, and ski jumping, thereby enhancing the viewing experience for global audiences.

Sotiris Salamouris, Chief Technology Officer of Olympic Broadcasting Services, said winter Olympic sports are highly dynamic, characterized by extreme speed and explosive power. He noted that advanced technology that freezes athletes' movements and captures their performances from multiple angles helps audiences better understand these sports and fully appreciate the athletes' extraordinary achievements.

- CGTN

NEW TECHNOLOGY REVOLUTIONALIZES AMERICAN FOOTBALL 🏈 FAN EXPERIENCE

 

PREMIER LEAGUE, FA AND PGMOL ISSUE MAJOR JOINT STATEMENT AHEAD OF ASTON VILLA MATCH

The Premier League, the Football Association and Professional Game Match Officials Ltd have confirmed Villa Park plan

Semi-automated offside technology will be used for the first time in the FA Cup fifth round (Peter Byrne/PA)(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Semi-automated offside technology will make its debut in English football in seven of the eight FA Cup fifth-round ties.

The technology will be used at all the ties hosted at Premier League stadiums, with the Preston v Burnley tie the one exception. Aston Villa host Cardiff City.

A statement issued on Thursday morning confirmed the Premier League would look to introduce the technology in its competition later in the season.

The Premier League hopes SAOT will reduce the length of offside checks by an average of 31 seconds.

VAR will be used at all eight ties, a joint statement from the Premier League, the Football Association and Professional Game Match Officials Ltd confirmed.

The Premier League has worked with technology provider Genius Sports on the new offside system.

The original plan had been to introduce it in the Premier League after one of last autumn’s international breaks, but those deadlines came and went.

Speaking last week, Premier League chief football officer Tony Scholes said the technology was still on course to be introduced this season.

He said there had been “significant progress” made over the last four to six weeks.

“The system that we’ve adopted, we believe it to be the best system,” he said.

“We believe it to be the most accurate and the most future-proof system as well. I have to confess, given the difficulties that we had over the first few months of the season, I had severe doubts about this but the progress made over the last four to six weeks has been significant.”

Scholes insisted introducing it with potentially only a handful of games to go would not create an integrity issue.

“The operation of semi-automated offside technology does not change the integrity of the offside law and doesn’t change the integrity of decision-making,” he said.

“We have got 100 per cent accuracy (on offside after VAR checks) this season, so it won’t improve the accuracy. What it does is make the process more efficient.”

- James Pallatt and Jamie Gardner PA Chief Sports Reporter

PREMIER LEAGUE SAYS 13 VAR ERRORS SO FAR THIS SEASON, BUT IT IS BETTER THAN LAST

February 5 – There have been 13 video assistant referee (VAR) mistakes in the Premier League so far this season, according to league bosses.

Four incorrect VAR interventions and nine missed interventions from the first 23 rounds of games have been identified.

However, the league says the accuracy of ‘Key Match Incidents’ is at 96.4% – up from 95.7% at the corresponding point last term – and the overall number of errors has gone down from 20.

“Nobody here underestimates the significance and the impact of one single error,” said Premier League chief football officer Tony Scholes.

“We know that one single error can cost clubs. Points and results can cost managers positions, potentially players their place.”

That’s been one of the main bugbears of managers and fans and in response, the league has unveiled a six-point plan aimed at enhancing the accuracy, speed, and transparency of VAR decisions.

A central component of this initiative is the potential introduction of semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) before this season concludes.

Additionally, the Premier League aims to enhance fan engagement by having referees announce VAR decisions within stadiums, a practice that could be implemented by the start of the next season.

Scholes emphasised the importance of this move, noting, “Frankly, it’s not good enough [VAR communication with supporters in stadiums]. None of us here at the league believe it’s good enough, and we have a long way to go to improve it.”

- Andrew Warshaw

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS ENHANCE DIGITAL EXPERIENCE WITH 2025 KIT

The British and Irish Lions has unveiled its 2025 jersey, incorporating a Near Field Communication (NFC) tag to enhance fan engagement.

New Zealand-based sports brand Canterbury, utilising concepts indicative of the critical role technology plays in modern sports performance. The firm has integrated its  Vapodri technology to keep players cool and comfortable on the field.

Additionally, Former British and Irish Lions captain, Sam Warburton, was also brought in to provide design input and advise on player needs, while extensive on-field testing ensured durability and performance.

Ben Calveley, CEO of British and Irish Lions, commented: “We’re incredibly proud and excited to unveil the new Lions jersey today alongside Canterbury, who have been a fantastic partner to The British and Irish Lions for many years dating back to the 1959 Tour of New Zealand. 

“This will be the third Tour in a row for us to partner with them and the 2025 jersey launch represents another key milestone as we continue to build towards Australia. The famous red jersey is a crucial part of the Lions DNA, and I have no doubt that the players and our supporters all around the world will enjoy wearing this jersey as well as the wider Lions lifestyle apparel. 

The standout feature of this kit is its integration of NFC technology. By scanning the tag located at the bottom right of the jersey, fans can gain access to the Lions Clubhouse app – a platform for exclusive content, which also launches today and will remain live throughout the Tour.

In the app, supporters can explore exclusive behind-the-scenes content, including player videos from the Tour, matchday highlights and Q&As with team members. This new feature aims to bring supporters closer to the action and provides access to a fan forum in the community section.

Calveley concluded: “Our amazing fans are a core part of what makes a great Lions Tour, they were dearly missed in South Africa in 2021, but we will now be more connected with them than ever before thanks to this innovative new design and exciting digital experience. 

“We look forward to seeing this jersey form the iconic Sea of Red next year across Australia, in Dublin, and in homes and clubs all over the UK and Ireland.”

The first Test kicks off at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium (19 July). The second Test will take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (26 July). The series concludes with the final Test at Sydney’s Accor Stadium (2 August) in front of over 80,000 fans.

Late last year, Sky Sports announced it would exclusively broadcast nine British and Irish Lions games for the Rugby Union team’s tour of Australia in 2025. 

The British and Irish Lions has unveiled its 2025 jersey, incorporating a Near Field Communication (NFC) tag to enhance fan engagement.

New Zealand-based sports brand Canterbury, utilising concepts indicative of the critical role technology plays in modern sports performance. The firm has integrated its  Vapodri technology to keep players cool and comfortable on the field.

Additionally, Former British and Irish Lions captain, Sam Warburton, was also brought in to provide design input and advise on player needs, while extensive on-field testing ensured durability and performance.

Ben Calveley, CEO of British and Irish Lions, commented: “We’re incredibly proud and excited to unveil the new Lions jersey today alongside Canterbury, who have been a fantastic partner to The British and Irish Lions for many years dating back to the 1959 Tour of New Zealand. 

“This will be the third Tour in a row for us to partner with them and the 2025 jersey launch represents another key milestone as we continue to build towards Australia. The famous red jersey is a crucial part of the Lions DNA, and I have no doubt that the players and our supporters all around the world will enjoy wearing this jersey as well as the wider Lions lifestyle apparel. 

The standout feature of this kit is its integration of NFC technology. By scanning the tag located at the bottom right of the jersey, fans can gain access to the Lions Clubhouse app – a platform for exclusive content, which also launches today and will remain live throughout the Tour.

In the app, supporters can explore exclusive behind-the-scenes content, including player videos from the Tour, matchday highlights and Q&As with team members. This new feature aims to bring supporters closer to the action and provides access to a fan forum in the community section.

Calveley concluded: “Our amazing fans are a core part of what makes a great Lions Tour, they were dearly missed in South Africa in 2021, but we will now be more connected with them than ever before thanks to this innovative new design and exciting digital experience. 

“We look forward to seeing this jersey form the iconic Sea of Red next year across Australia, in Dublin, and in homes and clubs all over the UK and Ireland.”

The first Test kicks off at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium (19 July). The second Test will take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (26 July). The series concludes with the final Test at Sydney’s Accor Stadium (2 August) in front of over 80,000 fans.

Late last year, Sky Sports announced it would exclusively broadcast nine British and Irish Lions games for the Rugby Union team’s tour of Australia in 2025. 

- Kieran O'Connor 

COLOURFUL EURO 2024 BALL TO REFLECT TOURNAMENT, SAY ORGANISERS

Reuters 

Organisers of Euro 2024 on Wednesday unveiled the official ball for the continental tournament next year, with its colourful pattern designed to reflect the energy of the event and with built-in technology to assist in VAR decisions.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) DESIGNED TROPHIES | VIA COSMINBECHEANU_ARTIST/IG

AMAZING AUDI CONCEPT CAR

IS TECHNOLOGY PERTINENT IN FOOTBALL/SOCCER? | DEBATE

 

FIFA TO USE SEMI-AUTOMATED OFFSIDE TECHNOLOGY AT WORLD CUP | SKY SPORTS

GRAN TURISMO SOPHY | RACING TOGETHER

GIANNI INFANTINO: RAIS WA FIFA ANATAKA TEKNOLOJIA YA VIDEO KUTUMIKA NA MAREFA WORLD CUP 2018

Rais wa FIFA, Gianni Infantino, amesema anataka teknolojia ya video ianze kufanyiwa majaribia haraka sana na kama ikifanikiwa itumike katika World Cup ya 2018 huko Russia...Teknolojia ya video au kwa jina lingine 'video referees' ni kwamba marefa watakuwa wanaangalia kama walifanya makosa katika maamuzi yao au refa anaweza kuomba muamuzi wa 4 kuangalia kama makosa yalitendeka ili haki itendeke...

Kwa sasa teknolojia inayotumika ni ya golini tu...Goli likiingia muamuzi anapata ujumbe kwenye saa yake ya mkononi...Rais wa Fifa ameongea na wadau wa Russia na kuhakikishiwa kwamba pamoja na matatizo ya uchumi maandalizi ya World Cup yanaendelea vizuri...

Wadau wengi walipinga teknolijia kutumika kwenye mpira lakini dunia yetu ya sasa ni ya teknolojia kwahiyo inabidi tewnde na wakati...Bofya hapa upate habari zaidi.