The Olympics is a truly global phenomenon, with London 2012 reaching more than half the world’s population. And with the internet now a staple tool in how anything is broadcasted, GIFs have become integral to reliving moments. But at Rio 2016, the IOC has banned these beloved moving images.

If you’ve sung along to Carpool Karaoke, or been mesmerised by a 30-second Tasty recipe, then you’ll know just how engaging video content can be. Video will account for 69% of all consumer internet traffic by 2017, but how can brands best harness this visual medium to engage people online?

When the Olympics roll around every four years, the 16-day extravaganza unites the world in a celebration of sport. But with two cities withdrawing their bids for 2024, the event’s prestige is in doubt. Can reconnecting with its core values make the Olympics – and its sponsors – more appealing?

Rather than dramatically breaking into the mainstream, virtual reality has slowly acquiesced into the collective consciousness. The arena of sport, however, provides a unique opportunity for the tech, potentially transforming these perennial pastimes for fans, players and sponsors alike.