ITU, JTU, and the NTT Group will trial a live tracking system capable of gathering and transmitting race data in real time at the 2017 ITU World Triathlon Yokohama to be held on May 13-14, 2017. This trial, the first to be conducted at a World Triathlon Series event, is being undertaken with a view to introducing the system by 2020, and aims to enhance triathlon events, including paratriathlon races, by improving convenience for competitors and organizers, as well as providing a more compelling spectator experience.
Athletes will be fitted with special sensors, and the system uses Wi-Fi antennas along the course to gather data on position, speed, etc. By collecting data in real time and promptly transmitting information to the media, the system enables a new level of spectator experience. The trial at WTS Yokohama 2017 will focus on cycling and running competition for elite male and female triathletes to verify the precision of uploaded time data, transmission time lag, etc.
The system is being developed on the basis of the digital service that Dimension Data, an NTT Group company, provided at the 2016 Tour de France. ITU, JTU, and the NTT Group will jointly examine the trial results and work towards introduction of the system for all nine events in the World Triathlon Series from 2018 onwards. The group will also examine introduction of live tracking for swimming competition.
