PyeongChang (South Korea), Feb 25: IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell, in response to recent social media controversies regarding penalties during the PyeongChang Winter Games, urged audiences to try and understand the details of each sport in order to have a clear picture of why certain decisions are taken.
“A number of people who don’t necessarily watch or understand the sports are watching in the Olympic Games as new audience. So in the venues we need to be able explain all of the sports, what is happening, with the International Federations and the Organizing Committees through broadcast, social media, digital media,” he said.
When asked about his comments on recent social media controversies, McConnell said that those wre not necessarily bad things, reports Xinhua news agency.
“Every time there is a question about why something happened, it is an opportunity for us to communicate and educate people about the sports and the rules of the sports, so people can understand and appreciate it more. As certain questions come up, it’s important that we address them quickly and clearly.
“Inside the venue, we show a video explain the Games, rules and everything. Through broadcasts, the sports are explained by commentators and graphics (are used) to make sure everything is clear.
“We also use social media and digital media through the International Federations to explain why certain decisions are taken, what the impact of these decisions are,” McConnell explained.
During the PyeongChang ames, both Canadian and Chinese athletes were penalised in the women’s 3,000 speed skating relay event, stirring up the controversies about why the decisions were made.