The Olympic Games in Paris entered every Bulgarian home. This was said by Vesela Lecheva during an online meeting as a member of the committee on “Public Affairs and Corporate Communications” of the International Olympic Committee.
“Besides the successes of the Bulgarian athletes, the data from the Bulgarian media showed that 75% of our compatriots watched, read, and followed through social networks what was happening in Paris,” commented Lecheva.
The Commission’s meeting was the first since Paris 2024, and specific audience figures and performance evaluations were presented.
Half of the world’s population watched the Olympic Games, said IOC President Thomas Bach, who once again gave high praise to both the hosts and everyone involved in the organization.
“Despite the political tension and the raging wars, we had peaceful games. In Paris, the athletes and all members of the Olympic family called for an end to conflicts, and the competitions succeeded, at least for a while, in uniting the world against aggression and hatred, they gave hope,” stated Bach .
“It is important that the IOC remains an independent organization that does not take into account the current political situation, but follows the Olympic principles and ideals,” Thomas Bach was categorical during his meeting with the members of the Commission.
The Commission’s report noted that the Games were an undisputed success not only because of the sporting achievements, but also because of the huge spectator interest.
“Bulgarian National Television’s live broadcasts of weightlifter Carlos Nassar’s championship trials, rhythmic gymnastics finals, wrestling and the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games achieved record results and became the most watched summer events. BNT’s daily overview broadcasts of everything happening in Paris also attracted a large audience that became part of the Olympic family. In Bulgaria, viewers also watched the Olympics on the streaming platform Max, as well as on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport 2. These broadcasts were watched by 49% more viewers compared to the Tokyo Games “, reported Vesela Lecheva, citing the data for Bulgaria.
“In Paris, the goals were set high and our task is to ensure that the Olympic values and ideas are the focus of public attention for all the remaining days of the year,” she added.
Anne Dean, Paris 2024 Communications Executive, told Commission members that there were 2.7 million posts during the Games. Those with a negative connotation are 12% of the total content and are related to the controversial opening scenes, the women’s boxing tournament, the topic of the cleanliness of the Seine. All this against the background of 12 billion posts, 600 million followers of Olympic content on social networks and record ratings of television broadcasts around the world.
“The success of the Games was related to the national commitment we were able to achieve and the synergy between spectators and competitors,” added the director of communications.
The next challenges for the IOC and the Commission on Public Affairs and Corporate Communications are related to artificial intelligence in sport, so that it becomes available to all Olympians, not just those whose countries are technological leaders.
“Olympic solidarity is leading for our organization, but such solidarity must also be there in the use of new technologies that will change the sport in many aspects. The most important thing is to put the person at the center and to be able to preserve fair play,” said Bach .