Olympic Channel Debuts Original Series in Virtual Reality Ahead of PyeongChang 2018
Taking viewers inside the world of Olympic hopefuls who have their sights set on competing at the Winter Olympic Games PyeongChang 2018, Trending Gold allows fans to experience first-hand the life of an athlete in virtual reality (VR). The seven-episode, multi-part series debuted Thursday, January 4 on the Olympic Channel global digital platform, which is available worldwide at olympicchannel.com and on its mobile apps.
Trending Gold is the Olympic Channel’s first Original Series and content to be filmed entirely in 360 VR, and was produced exclusively for the Olympic Channel by Jaunt. The multi-part series also features additional immersive content including 360-degree video, behind-the-scenes episodes and other short-form videos available on the global platform. Full episodes are best viewed in VR and will be available on many major VR headset systems, as well as the Jaunt mobile app.
“Trending Gold is an innovative new series that uses technologies such as virtual reality and 360-dergee video to bring viewers inside the personal worlds of several winter athletes creating an immersive and engaging experience for our fans,” says Mark Parkman, General Manager of the IOC’s global Olympic Channel. “Finding new ways to connect the stories behind our sports with our audiences through new series like Trending Gold is a key strategy as we continue to evolve the Olympic Channel global platform.”
Trending Gold features nine athletes and Olympic hopefuls representing six countries across four different sports including snowboard big air, alpine skiing, short track speedskating and bobsleigh. The series allows viewers to immerse themselves into how these driven athletes train and prepare for the chance to compete at an Olympic Games through compelling VR storytelling.
Athletes Include:
- Snowboard big air: Jamie Anderson (USA), Max Parrot (CAN)
- Bobsleigh: Seun Adigun, Ngozi Onwumere and Akuoma Omeoga (Nigerian bobsleigh team – the first ever Continental African team to compete in this event.)
- Alpine Ski: Luca Aerni (SUI), Ilka Stuhec (Slovenia)
- Short track speed skating: Ye Jin Kim and Dae Heon Hwang (KOR)
Olympic Channel Episode Guide: Trending Gold
Episode 1 – Trending Gold: Dream Big: Nigeria’s First Ever Women’s Bobsleigh Team
Travel to Nigeria to meet the support team behind the women’s bobsleigh crew and feel the growing pride from all parts of the country.
Episode 2 – Trending Gold: Hit for Speed: Nigeria’s Bobsleigh Team Takes the Plunge
The dream continues for Sheun, Akyoma, and Ngozi as they take advantage of crucial track time in Calgary with the help of their local coach.
Episode 3 – Trending Gold: Soul Shredding: Elite Snowboarders Jamie Anderson and Max Parrot
Discover how two world-class snowboarders manage their daily routine away the slopes, finding balance with friends, working out, and yoga.
Episode 4 – Trending Gold: One Big Air: Jamie Anderson and Max Parrot Push Their Limits
A new event promises to make headlines in PyeongChang and both world-class snowboarders, Anderson and Parrot, have their sights set on gold.
Episode 5 – Trending Gold: Downhill to the Top: Ilka Stuhec and Luca Aerni Break Out
Following breakout seasons, Alpine skiing stars take you to their hometowns in Slovenia and Switzerland and share their training secrets.
Episode 6 – Trending Gold: Power on Powder: Ilka Stuhec and Luca Aerni Go Full Speed
Join Ilka and Luca as they meet on slopes in Italy and then experience what it’s like to tackle the mountain as a reigning world champion.
Episode 7 – Trending Gold: Bring It Home: Ye Jin Kim and Dae Heon Hwang Prep for PyeongChang
Pressure is high for the Korean short track teammates in the lead up to their country’s first ever Winter Olympic Games. How do they unwind?
The Olympic Channel is a global media destination where fans can experience the power of sport and the excitement of the Olympic Games all year round, and is available worldwide via mobile apps for Android and iOS devices and at olympicchannel.com.