Judges and officials are armed with pen-based IBM ThinkPad notebook computers to tally every jab, fumble or goal and relay the data to the main computer system and the scoreboards. IBM's networks handle the processing of competition results, as well as the dissemination of such diverse data as a swimmer's personal best and the hometown of this year's decathlon champion. Much of the information is accessible to international broadcasters via computer terminals. Wired sports fans can also keep track of the action as it happens. A special service allows fans to send e-mail to their favorite athletes or teams.
Users can view a selection of messages.
Crystal in Hong Kong tells the territory's team. In Atlanta, athletes can stop by the Olympic Village's Surf Shack to check out their e-mail. Three days into the Games, more than 50 participants had set up their own webpages, revealing details about how they got interested in their sport and what they do for fun. And to think I was afraid of the water when I was a kid. Security is a major concern.