Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) have been using the Cloud system, developed by Chinese technology giants Alibaba to provide virtual replays of key moments which can be made available in seconds.

"It not only offers broadcasters unprecedented efficiency, but also enables endless opportunities for innovation and to seamlessly deliver the excitement of the Olympic Games to the widest possible audience," OBS chief executive Yiannis Exarchos said. 

Alibaba claim the virtual replays can offer three dimensional representation in seconds "for seamless reconstruction of the most exciting moments".

The replays make use of a wide range of angles from cameras installed around the sports venues.

It is claimed that this will offer a "more immersive experience for global sports fans",

Over 20 Olympic rights holding  broadcast organisations are using the technology for the first time during Beijing 2022.

Coverage is being transmitted in either ultra high definition or high definition using the OBS "Cloud".

Before the introduction of this system, broadcasters had to set up complex and costly telecommunication circuits in order to send live footage back from the Games.

Technicians claim it could make huge television compounds at sports arenas a thing of the past.

"Transmitting live content through cloud is a particularly useful resource for broadcasters who cannot attend the Olympic Winter Games in person or afford the heavy upfront investment of on premise infrastructure,” Alibaba Cloud intelligence International business manager Selina Yuan said.

"We hope that cloud technologies will not only reduce the cost associated with broadcasting, but also bolster the coverage.

"Ultimately, we hope more sports fans around the world can enjoy the excitement of the Olympic Winter Games."