ICYMI: The IOC Drops the Hammer on Olympic Video Sharing
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has made it crystal clear that any kind of video from the Tokyo 2020 Games is a no-go for social media, even for the athletes themselves. The goal? Protect the broadcasters who paid a hefty price for the right to stream the event.
Elaine Thompson‑Herah’s Instagram Slip‑Up
On Wednesday, Jamaican sprinter Elaine Thompson‑Herah tried to brag on Instagram by slapping her 310,000 followers with videos of her smashing 100‑ and 200‑meter races. The platform promptly removed her clips and raised a temporary ban. Facebook later admitted it was a mistake, noting that “Videos belong to the rights‑holding broadcasters,” but still encouraged people to share photos instead.
Why the Big Deal Matters
- The IOC earns over $4 billion (≈ S$5.4 billion) from broadcast rights for the past two Olympic cycles, including Pyeongchang 2018 and Tokyo 2020.
- NASA‑style partner NBCUniversal paid a staggering $7.65 billion for U.S. broadcast rights through 2032.
- According to IOC spokesman Mark Adams, 90 % of that income is redistributed back to sport and athletes.
Social media has become the new front‑office for Olympic fan engagement. From viral TikToks showing athletes hopping on cardboard beds (to prove the beds are just sturdy enough for all the bouncing) to behind‑the‑scenes clips that giggle at the “anti‑sex” rumors, audiences want a taste of the action. But the rulebook says: only pictures are fine; videos? Not so much.
Bottom Line
If you’re trending for a break, remember: the IOC’s policy brooks no video sharing. Keep your posts photos, keep your followers happy, and you’ll dodge the wrath of the big‑money broadcasters.
