Earlier this year I made a commitment to Twitter and I have stayed on top of it. I have found many great articles and resources and followed my share of random trivia.  Lately I have been following the Olympics. I had read in several locations that this was the first Olympics using social media.  I didn’t believe it – social media has been in place for several Olympics, why are they calling this year the first one.  The past few days it has all come together. 

The Olympics has a facebook page and a twitter handle, as do the majority of the athletes, sports and various countries.  Anything you want to find out about the games – go to a social network and it is there.  Even the data on the use of social networks is making news – Socialympics and the Twitter Games  London 2012 & Social Media, Infographic: What’s different About the 2012 Olympics? Social Media Basically. and before the Olympics are over there will be more. 

Not to mention the first “scandal” of the Olympics was based on comments shared on twitter.  Athletes are sharing with followers and supporters that they are signing off of their social media accounts so they can focus on competition.  Yet, other athletes are sharing thoughts and feelings regarding competition.

Though the social media connection I can appreciate how “real” these Olympic games feel.  You can read about what the athletes are experiencing, see pictures through their eyes and get a more personal connection to the games.  On the other hand social media has been just a chain of spoiler alerts.  Not just from those who are attending the games – but even those in different time zones. Obviously the Olympics do not always happen in the time zone where one lives, but until this year it hasn’t mattered that much.  The social media buzz is sharing outcomes before one can watch an event making it feel like that competition has fallen flat. Why watch something when you already know the outcome? 

There is nothing that we can do to stop others from sharing.  But wouldn’t it be great to filter your feeds and keep out anything having to do with upcoming events?  In the same way you can use a hash tag to follow a conversation, you could use that principal to filter your feeds.  Not only would this be helpful in following current events like the Olympics where you want to stay in the loop but not be spoiled regarding outcomes.

How have you been balancing the Olympics and the Social Media?  Do you have any tips to share on how you are avoiding the “spoiler alerts”?