Barco unveils China's largest sports LED screen for 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games
SHANGHAI, CHINA — 2 October 2007 --- Barco, a world leader in visualization and display solutions, announces installation of the largest LED sports application screen in China. The big screen was unveiled at Shanghai Stadium in preparation for the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games to be held in Shanghai from 2-11 October 2007.
Built in 1997, Shanghai Stadium covers 190,000 square meters and has a seating capacity of 80,000. The stadium has been host to numerous international and domestic sporting events over the last decade. In addition to being the host site for the Special Olympics, the Shanghai Stadium will also serve as one of next year’s 2008 Olympic Games venues for soccer.
To add to the unforgettable spectator experience at Shanghai Stadium, Barco installed the biggest LED wall ever at a Chinese venue. The screen measures an amazing 391 square meters and utilizes 651 Barco SLite 14 LED display tiles. The SLite tiles offer the perfect resolution for large-scale installations with relatively high viewing distances. Moreover, the SLite LED tiles can overlay video and data sources in native image quality.
Frank Christiaens, Managing Director Barco China comments: “In 2004, Barco installed the first major LED project in the Chinese sports market at Shanghai Formula 1 Race Track. Over the years we have installed numerous LED screens at reference sites, including the Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre in Jiangsu province, and the Qi Zhong Tennis Center in Shanghai, home of the ATP Tennis Masters Cup.” He continues: “The installation at Shanghai Stadium marks a new landmark for Barco and we are very happy to help China and the city of Shanghai to put on a great game for all to enjoy.”
Playing host to some 7,500 athletes, 40,000 volunteers and 3,500 event officials from around the world, the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games mark the first time the games will be held in Asia, and only the second time they have been held outside the United States. What’s more, the event, in conjunction with the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, makes China the first country in history to host the Special Olympics World Games, Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in a single Olympic games’ cycle.
More than the games themselves, 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games will also shine in its demonstration of international goodwill. The games’ opening ceremony promises to be a spectacular event, and will be attended by luminaries from around the world, as well as top Chinese dignitaries, award-winning actress Zhang Ziyi, NBA superstar Yao Ming and People’s Republic President Hu Jintao.
About Barco
Barco, a global technology company, designs and develops visualization products for a variety of selected professional markets. Barco has its own facilities for Sales & Marketing, Customer Support, R&D and Manufacturing in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.
Barco (Euronext Brussels: BAR) is headquartered in Belgium and is active in more than 90 countries with about 3800 employees worldwide. Barco posted sales of euro 751 million in 2006.
