Going for Gold: Communicating the Olympic Games in a Pandemic

With more than 10,000 athletes, 3.5 billion viewers and 206 nations, the Olympic Games are one of the world’s largest, most diverse, sporting events. Many of us love the chance to cheer on Team Canada and marvel at incredible performances. But we give little consideration to how those stories get into our homes. 

What does it take to tell the story of the Olympic Games during a global crisis? How has the first postponement of a modern Olympic Games practically affected the people trying to bring that story to Canadians?

This webinar features Thomas Hall, director, communications and media relations for the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC). In conversation with our host Meredith Dault, Hall, who is an Olympic medallist, discusses the COC communication team’s strategies for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

In this conversation, participants:

• Explore communication challenges, opportunities and lessons learned from the Olympic Games
• Understand what the postponement of the Games can teach us about pivoting, focus and resilience
• Discover new ways to connect with national and international audiences, establishing trust and credibility
• Glean best practices when managing a complex roster of stakeholders
• Learn to manage the narrative and adapt quickly in today’s fast-moving news cycle

This webinar was recorded live on Thursday, July 8 at 1:00 p.m. EDT. Its topic is of special interest to professional communicators and content marketers, press and media relations personnel, as well as anyone who wants a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to communicate effectively on a global stage. (It’s also a great way to get into the Olympic spirit as we get closer to the Games!)

Smith School of Business is the exclusive business education partner of the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and a founding partner of Game Plan, Canada’s total athlete wellness program, helping athletes plan for success beyond sport.