Getty Images and the International Olympic Committee have announced a new long-term agreement, with Getty Images set to serve exclusively as the official photographic agency of the IOC and as the Official Imagery Supplier to the IOC. The extension of this long-standing relationship underlines Getty Images’ commitment to the IOC and to the Olympic Movement, including Worldwide TOP Partners, National Olympic Committees and athletes. The agreement includes rights to use Getty Images’ world-class imagery and services on the soon to be launched Olympic Channel. Getty Images photos of medal events during the Sochi 2014 Winter Games were available to subscribers almost instantly after much of the action, with it hoped they will be similarly speedy during Rio 2016. Their presence in the Brazilian city will be particularly important due to how image-friendly many of the picturesque venues will be.
“Our original perspective on sports, gained through years of specialist sports photography experience, will ensure Getty Images captures the best and most unique Olympic moments as they happen”
For the upcoming games, Getty Images will deploy a team of over 120 people to the city, including an elite roster of award-winning specialist sports photographers. Getty Images photographers will shoot over 1.5 million images in Rio, of which over 85,000 will be distributed worldwide. In addition to a gigapixel specialist shooting key venues and moments as 360 degree panoramas, all Getty Images photographers will be armed with 360 cameras, transporting viewers into the heart of the Olympic action. Overhead and underwater robotic cameras will capture coverage daily at ten athletics, gymnastics and aquatics venues. During the games, Getty will be using approximately 62 miles (100 km) of state-of-the-art fibre optic cable onsite that will link the photographers from within all 32 venues back to Getty Images editors based in the Main Olympic Press Centre. This will enable a picture to be transferred from the field of play to the dedicated Getty Images Olympics site in as little as 120 seconds!
Ken Mainardis, VP of Sports Imagery and Services at Getty Images, said: “Getty and the IOC have worked together for over 25 years and we are honoured to be expanding our long established relationship to fit the evolving needs of the Olympic Movements and its key stakeholders. Social media and the proliferation of channels through which people consume content have made a huge impact on the way we watch and experience the Olympic Games. Powerful imagery that tells a story has never been more important. It drives engagement and single-handedly inspires and evokes emotion. We are delighted with this opportunity to provide riveting content that will inspire and engage sports fans all over the globe.”
