Olympic highlights going on YouTube

International Olympic Commitee signs deal

6 August 2008 11:46 GMT / By Katie Scott

For the first time in the games' history, the Olympics will have global online coverage.

Thanks to a deal between the International Olympic Commitee and YouTube, clips and highlights from the events are going to be made available through the Google-owned video sharing site.

"The IOC's priority is to ensure that as many people as possible get to experience the magic of the Olympic Games and the inspirational sporting achievements of the Olympic athletes", says Timo Lumme, IOC director of television and marketing.

"For the first time in Olympic history we will have complete global online coverage, and the IOC will have its own broadcast channel (which) will make fantastic Olympic footage available where young generations of sports fans are already going for online entertainment." The Games open on Friday.

The IOC will be offering three hours per day to viewers which will be a compilation of all the day's action, as well as Games highlights.

Online pictures and reports of the Games will be available in 77 territories across Africa, Asia and the Middle East, including India, South Korea, Nigeria and Indonesia, the IOC added.

The video on demand clips start today (6 August).