First ever live-stream for Special Olympics 2014 Summer Games, drawing viewers from 81 countries worldwide
Jul 23, 2014
Seven sports aired live online through viaSport Productions, garnering 4,800 live views
PRESS PLAY to watch the 2014 Summer Games closing ceremonies video, powered by viaSport!
For the first time in their history, the Special Olympics Canada 2014 Summer Games were live-streamed to the world from the University of British Columbia (UBC) July 9 – 12, 2014 – a service proudly provided by viaSport British Columbia.
With the help of 20 fantastic volunteers from UBC, along with a talented group out of BCIT’s Broadcast and Media Communications programs, the viaSport Productions team piloted a live-stream schedule for seven sports including athletics, basketball, powerlifting, rhythmic gymnastics, soccer, softball and swimming.
At the same time, volunteers were busy hitting each and every event to capture special video footage that later become a memorable video aired during the Closing Ceremonies on Saturday, July 12.
“The 2014 Special Olympics have been our largest live-stream production event to-date, and it was also one of my most inspiring experiences too,” says Smita Acharyya, viaSport productions coordinator. “I had a great time meeting many of the athletes competing in the Games from across Canada. Hearing their personal stories and paths to the Games will be ones I always remember.”
With more than 1,300 athletes competing in the Games, viaSport was thrilled to see an excess of 4,800 viewers tune in online to the live-stream from 81 countries worldwide to cheer on their friends and family at this renowned multi-sport event. To top off 8,313 live-views, the closing ceremony archived footage has since surpassed 7,800 views and it continues to grow every day. Athletes, coaches and families can go back and watch the performances again or share with others to watch on the viaSport Video Archives page: viasport.ca/video-archives
Congratulations to all the athletes, coaches, volunteers and event organizers that made this Games a huge success. Check out some of these great tweets from a few of our live-stream viewers tuning in from right here in B.C.
 @RickHansenFdnWe’ll be watching! RT @ViaSport_ We’ll be at #UBC July 9-12 to livestream from @SpecialOCanada #Vancouver2014 Games ow.ly/ySwkU |
| @CS4L_ACSV @ViaSport_ it’s an awesome event. So glad to hear you will be steaming it for all of us 🙂 |
| @CityGirlSarah Do you need a Wednesday night smile? Watch this medal ceremony from @Vancouver2014:http://www.viasport.ca/live-stream-special-olympics-canada … |
| @sobcsociety Amazing @Vancouver2014 highlight video & recordings by @ViaSport_ available: ow.ly/zbz5f #TeamBC2014 #Vancouver2014 #inspiration |
| @clementwoo Great experience being part of the production team behind this @ViaSport_ video! cc: @Vancouver2014 @SpecialOCanada ow.ly/z9HEX |
For more feature stories by viaSport or to learn more about viaSport Productions, visit our website, follow us on Twitter @ViaSport_ and “like” us on Facebook to stay in the loop with our upcoming live-stream schedule.#InspireViaSport
