In conjunction with the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Facebook has launched a number of tools to help users participate in the event, including a dedicated Game Center, Augmented Reality effects for Stories and videos highlights to keep you updated.
Facebook Games Center for the Olympics
The main addition to Facebook is the new Game Center, which features highlights, team and player reviews, event commentators, and more. It also includes notes on Olympic history for additional context, highlighting your friends’ contributions to the Olympic Games. You can also follow the Game center for updates about the Olympics.
The Facebook Olympic Center can be viewed here or by clicking through on the hashtag #Olympics or #Tokyo2020 in the app.
Facebook says Instagram users can participate in the Games via two new Augmented Reality effects, which are now accessible through the effects tabs on both @olympics and @Tokyo2020 accounts.
WhatsApp Chatbot for the Olympics
Facebook also released a new chatbot for the Olympics on WhatsApp. This chatbot provides detailed information on match schedules, local broadcasts, breaking news and medals.
The chatbot will also include official stickers and quizzes about various Olympic events to boost fan engagement.
Finally, Facebook will also post direct and indirect videos about the game during the event.
“In select countries, fans will have access to highlights from Tokyo 2020, athlete profiles and interviews throughout the course of the Games via official Olympic broadcasters’ Facebook Pages and Instagram accounts. This includes NBC Universal in the US, Eurosport for parts of Europe, and beIN in the Middle East and North Africa. In select territories including India, Russia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Spanish-speaking Latin America, fans can see the day’s highlights from Tokyo on the official Olympics Facebook Page.”
It’s difficult to estimate how big the Olympics will be this year, because of the ongoing epidemic situation in host country Japan. Even as the event continues, there is a sense that it could be canceled at any time, most likely due to an outbreak in the Olympic Village, which will somewhat soften the excitement around the event.
Also, for the first time in the Olympics, there will be no fans. In other words, whoever breaks the world record will be greeted with applause by coaches and more, and a chilling silence will spread throughout this vast arena.
This can lead to very strange situations at the Olympics. Notwithstanding, if you are seeking to know more about the Games, and ways to engage, Facebook now has options to consider.
