15th National Games: Where sports, cutting-edge technologies converge

From November 9 to 21, China will host its 15th National Games, the country's largest and most influential sports event. This year, the Games will not only serve as a stage for athletic competitions but also as a showcase for the seamless integration of cutting-edge technologies.  Frontier technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, 5G communications and cloud computing, will be fully integrated into every aspect of the event – from organization to the viewing experience – injecting new intelligent momentum into sports.

Smart venue management

Venue operations are powered by tech innovation.

Inside the intelligent command center of the Shenzhen Sports Center, a digital twin system condenses the 68,000-square-meter complex into a 3D model, enabling simulation management of the event venue. It alerts administrators if air conditioning energy consumption deviates by more than 5 percent, triggers alarms within 20 seconds if fire exits are blocked, and uses AI algorithms to predict crowd risks up to 15 minutes in advance. Cutting-edge solutions, such as Beidou-5G-integrated high-precision positioning and intelligent traffic distribution systems, are also adopted to ensure stable wireless connectivity amid high concurrency.​

Another standout innovation of the center is the "retractable roof and movable screen" system at the stadium. The roof can open or close depending on the event. Simultaneously, the giant central screen adjusts, switching from a double-sided horizontal display to a four-panel screen. For example, during a tennis match, the roof opens to let in natural light, and the screen shifts to provide optimal viewing angles for fans sitting in the upper stands. This flexible design accommodates 16 different sports, from basketball and tennis to gymnastics, ensuring seamless transitions between different events.

The Guangdong Olympic Sports Center, a venue with decades of history for local fans, has renovated its swimming and diving pool, primarily for water quality improvement and lighting effect optimization. During the event, spectators will see the venue's lighting change during intervals to create dynamic atmospheres. Although the water treatment facilities are hidden underground, the clear, pristine water is a visible testament to these upgrades.

Data-driven tools empower fairness

In the pursuit of fair competition, technology has made remarkable strides.

For example, in badminton, AI-powered cameras automatically capture highlights and analyze data to assist referees in making precise decisions. In athletics, an AI start-line monitoring system detects false starts with a margin of error of less than one millisecond, greatly improving the accuracy of officiating.

These data-driven systems are gradually replacing traditional methods and ensuring a level playing field, supported by Shenzhen's thriving sports tech ecosystem.

Upgraded spectator experiences

This time, spectators are treated to a suite of smart services.

Guangzhou Mobile has launched a "Cloud-based sports village" system, where spectators are no longer confined by physical limits. Powered by AI and a free-view event system, it offers free-angle viewing, real-time player tracking, sports analysis, and streaming sharing, enabling immersive watching and interaction.

Multiple venues, including the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center and Guangzhou Gymnasium, have deployed augmented reality (AR) navigation systems. Users can access the navigation pages of each venue through the "Games in Guangzhou" mini-program or on-site QR codes, accurately locating their seats. Without switching between applications, users can navigate seamlessly from the outdoors to specific seats inside the venue. Whether it's public facilities like restrooms and medical rooms or precise seats in a 50,000-seat stadium, these technologies make it easy to find your way.

Besides, practical innovations further enhance convenience. Driverless vehicles on several event-specific routes offer a full-scene and all-weather driving experience. Parking lots powered by the photovoltaic storage charging and discharging technology can quickly charge electric vehicles in just 10 to 15 minutes.

"The 15th National Games is not only a sports event but also an important platform for showcasing Guangdong's technological innovation achievements," said Pan Helin, a member of the Expert Committee for Information and Communication Economy under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

It provides real-world scenarios for smart technologies, like robots and driverless cars, offering valuable references for manufacturing enterprises' digital transformation and further boosting Guangdong's industrial upgrade, said Pan.