Despite the controversy over the torch runs around the world, the summer Olympics in Beijing are still on. Because of it’s timing (only once every four years) and scope as an international sporting event, it’s always interesting to see what new technology comes out to help fans closer to their favorite country, sports, and events at the quadrennial event.

NBC, as the sole broadcast provider in the United States, is readying new technologies to connect Olympics fans to the action in Beijing. NBC Olympics site is the flagship site and broadcast home of the Olympics. Of special note are the mobile and video options available. The mobile features allow fans to keep up with updates on the Games on their mobile devices, while the mobile video allows both live TV and recorded videos to be watched on your phone.

In an exciting development, the NBC will be offering free streaming live video of the Games this summer:

In addition, the site itself will offer more than 3,500 hours of exclusive video, including 2,200 hours of live streams, plus full-event replays and extensive highlights — all free and on demand throughout the Games. Powered by MSN’s Silverlight technology, NBCOlympics.com’s video will allow users to further customize their experience — whether by selecting picture-in-picture functionality, watching simultaneous views of multiple events, or setting on-screen alerts and more. This same Olympic video will also be available on mobile devices and cable VOD packages.

This is an unprecedented step that NBC is making with regard to the tremendous live stream coverage. It’s an exciting development indeed. You can learn more about it here. It’s hopeful that based on this move other networks, sites, and leagues will follow suit and provide streaming video on a regular basis in the future. Now all we seem to be missing is an Olympics fantasy game.