International Sports Broadcasting (ISB) CEO Ursula Romero accepts interview with Xinhua. (Xinhua/Jiao Ziqi)
CHENGDU, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Chengdu World Games set "an unrepeatable benchmark" for global sports broadcasting, International Sports Broadcasting (ISB) CEO Ursula Romero told Xinhua, praising the pivotal role of Chinese crews in achieving unprecedented coverage quality.
"This is the biggest event ISB has delivered under my leadership," Romero said in an exclusive interview at the International Broadcast Center in Chengdu, before the 12th World Games concluded on Sunday night.
"We produced nearly 900 hours of live coverage - triple the Birmingham 2022 output - with 22 production crews. Only four were international teams; the remaining 18 were Chinese professionals from Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin," she said.
This photo shows International Sports Broadcasting (ISB) work room. (Xinhua/Jiao Ziqi)
Despite initial language barriers, Romero emphasized seamless collaboration. "Everyone pulled together to realize complex camera plans. Their execution was flawless."
The broadcast incorporated innovative technologies. Germany's Arri cinematic cameras captured waterskiing action in live production for the first time, while Leapus's Strobe Motion systems froze aerial movements in parkour and trampoline.
Reflecting on China's growth since the 2008 Olympics, Romero noted a shift in priorities. "A decade ago, broadcasts prioritized camera quantity and resolution. Now, audiences prefer athlete stories. Chinese crews excel at narrative innovation - like capturing gymnasts' pre-routine breaths."
This photo shows International Sports Broadcasting (ISB) work room. (Xinhua/Jiao Ziqi)
She credited China's move from quantity-focused to quality-driven production. "Now it's going the other way around, so you have quality versus quantity, and also people are expecting that now, which I think is a good thing. And the young generation in China is amazing. Their creativity, their mind and the level of wanting to do better and wanting to prove to the world are great."
On her "unrepeatable" claim, Romero underscored the collective effort. "This scale requires technology, logistics and organizing committee support. Chengdu uniquely combined all," she added.
"Honestly, I don't think that it would have been possible the way we did it here anywhere else."
Romero concluded by highlighting the unifying nature of sport. "Remember, I think sport probably is the only event in the world that joins bridges because there's no language, no politics. And I think international sporting events will soon be fighting to come to China."
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