Sun Named ‘Official Unix Server Supplier’ for 2002 Olympic Winter Games

The Salt Lake Organizing Committee (SLOC) Tuesday named Sun Microsystems the “Official Unix Server Supplier” for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

Sun’s enterprise servers running the Solaris Operating Environment, along with its data storage systems, will be the backbone of the information system at the Olympic Winter Games. This information system is the technology behind how commentators, media, 3,500 athletes and officials, and 70,000 spectators will receive results information.

The Salt Lake Organizing Committee (SLOC) Tuesday named Sun Microsystems the “Official Unix Server Supplier” for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

Sun will also provide around-the-clock, mission-critical services.

“The Salt Lake Organizing Committee named Sun because of its solid reputation for maintaining highly reliable computing environments,” SLOC President and CEO Mitt Romney said.

“The success of the Olympic Winter Games will depend in part on collecting, processing, and distributing information. That’s where Sun’s systems and services will play a key role in ensuring that people of all nations can stay on top of the teams’ performances and standings,” Romey added.

The Sun system solution for the 2002 Games is based on an open systems architecture — a major departure from the model deployed at previous Olympic Games. The entire information system at this year’s Games is being implemented by a consortium of 15 technology providers.

The information system will capture and distribute a wide variety of time-sensitive information, such as timing and scoring results, team standings, medal standings, weather conditions, and athlete biographies. This information will be distributed to the worldwide media, ISPs, and athletes and spectators at the Games through special kiosks at the various Olympic venues and throughout Salt Lake City.

SchlumbergerSema, an IT services provider that offers consulting, systems integration, and managed services, was named “Official Worldwide Information Technology Partner.” The firm will integrate and manage all of the technology used for the Games.

Sun has supported a number of large event systems for major sporting events including, World Cup Soccer, Major League Baseball, Formula One Racing, the America’s Cup, the John Elway Celebrity Golf Classic, and The International PGA TOUR event.

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