A newly remastered documentary, created in collaboration between the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the top e-commerce and technology firm Alibaba, and its cloud division Alibaba Cloud, showcases the achievements of female athletes in vivid detail.
The film features a wealth of restored and colorized archival footage and images of female athletes, made possible by the application of Alibaba Cloud’s AI technology. It highlights distinguished athletes such as Suzanne Lenglen, the renowned French tennis star who held the first world No. 1 ranking from 1921 to 1926 and secured a total of eight Grand Slam singles titles along with 21 major titles overall.
The list also includes Zhang Shan, the pioneering female shooter who claimed the inaugural gold medal in mixed shooting events at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Additionally, it features Kathrine Switzer, a pioneering advocate for the inclusion of women in the marathon at the Olympic Games.
Zhang Shan, who made history at the Olympic Games Barcelona 1992 by winning gold in a mixed-gender skeet shooting event, said,“By reliving that moment, I hope we can encourage more people to pursue the sports that they are passionate about.”
Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon in 1967, said, “Seeing these historical photos renewed by technology enables us to reflect on how far we’ve come and to continue the progress of bringing sport opportunities to more women worldwide.”
Since 2017, Alibaba Group has supported the Olympics’ digital transformation through its Cloud division. Partnering with the IOC, Alibaba Cloud uses AI to restore and colorize historic footage, including from the 1924 Paris Games, enriching the viewing experience. Women make up 47.2% of Alibaba’s workforce, significantly contributing to the company’s innovation and growth.
Thomas Bach, president of the IOC, said, “The film highlights the great progress of women in sports through the course of history. My heartfelt thanks go to our friends at Alibaba for using AI-powered technology to let the achievements of these women in sports shine through the full spectrum of colours. More importantly, the film allows us to reflect on one of the most important priorities of the Olympic community—empowering women in and through sports. Gender equality is a team sport. We all have a role to play and we all have to lead by example. With this film, Alibaba is leading by example and using its technological expertise to highlight this important topic.”
This project exemplifies how technology can promote a more inclusive and appreciative society. It goes beyond merely reflecting on the past; it aims to motivate future generations to achieve greatness. For Ad Nut, this is a goal truly worth celebrating.