• OnePlan’s virtual twin and mapping software will create virtual venues
• Tools have been used for more than 8,000 events and venues worldwide
• Organisers hope to leave a technological legacy

Organisers of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games have partnered with UK technology firm OnePlan to build data-driven ‘digital twins’ of all major competition venues that will make the planning process more efficient and sustainable.

Digital Twins are an accurate virtual representation of a physical space, allowing venue operators to simulate changes or scenarios in real time. The technology has been used in industries like manufacturing to evaluate the impact of a change to a production line.

“This will be an Olympic and Paralympic Games powered by innovation,” said Tony Estanguet, president of Paris 2024. “The way in which we use technology is evolving, and our partnership with OnePlan will facilitate the work of our teams and our entire ecosystem. We will be able to leave a new way of organising events helped by technology.”

OnePlan’s virtual twin and geographic information software (GIS) mapping tools create digital venues that reflect the area space and capacity size of a specific venue, and can be viewed at any angle, in any light, or in any weather condition.

The organising committee can see how changes to the venue affect lighting and audio quality, and determine where infrastructure such as barriers, fencing, vehicles, teams and volunteers should be placed. It is also possible to see where the best positions are for television cameras, boosting the quality of TV coverage.

The ability to simulate scenarios can aid crowd control measures and evacuation procedures, and can also help organisers make venues more accessible for those with disabilities.

As the digital twin is remotely accessible by all stakeholders, it enables greater collaboration between the organising committee, broadcast teams, international federations, and suppliers. It also reduces the need for site visits, lowering emissions.

“Paris 2024 will be a landmark Olympic and Paralympic Games, driven by innovation and sustainability,” said Paul Foster, chief executive and founder of OnePlan, which has signed up as an official supporter of the event. “Our collaborative, easy-to-use software will streamline the planning of all event and venue operations before and during the Games.

“From anywhere in the world, users can feel like they are actually in the venues, walking the routes, hearing and seeing the environment as it will be during the games.”

Digital twins for both the Stade de France, which will host athletics, and the Place de la Concorde, where the 3×3 basketball, breaking, BMX freestyle, and skateboarding will take place, have already been built.