Sky captures fastest man on earth in 3D

Usain Bolt footage to be shown in cinemas later this year

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19 May 2009 10:54 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Sky is pushing forward with its 3D filming, announcing that it's captured Usain Bolt, the fastest man on the earth, in 3D sprinting 150 metres down a specially designed track in Manchester on 18 May, 2009.

The sprint was filmed using five 3D camera rigs, each holding two of Sky's HD cameras, ensuring that the event is captured in both high definition and 3D.

One 3D rig was mounted on a rail cam which tracked Usain stride-for-stride the whole 150 metre length of the track, apparently the first time this has ever been done.

"It's great for Sky to be involved in capturing another compelling piece of content in 3D, to add to the catalogue of events we've recorded so far - from Ricky Hatton's Manchester Homecoming fight last May to a live 3D broadcast of Keane last month, and even the UK's first 3D ballet", says Brian Lenz, Sky's head of product design and innovation.

"As part of our on-going research and development work, we're continuing to assess how 3D can work across a range of events and programming genres".

The Bolt footage will be shown in Odeon cinemas later this year.