This is what’s behind the spectacular FPV drone shots at the Olympic Winter Games

The Olympic Winter Games are more visually impressive than ever for viewers watching at home. This is not only due to traditional camera work along the course, but increasingly to the use of FPV drones that are able to follow athletes from extremely close range. During the Winter Games in Milan and Cortina, this technology is being deployed on a much larger scale for live broadcasts for the first time. The Dutch media company Dutch Drone Gods is responsible for the FPV shots of bobsleigh, skeleton and luge, using a drone specifically developed for broadcast purposes.

FPV drones deployed structurally for the first time

For the live coverage of the Olympic Winter Games in Milan and Cortina, FPV drones are no longer used incidentally but as a structural part of the broadcast setup. Especially on ice tracks and downhill sections, where athletes reach speeds well above 100 kilometres per hour, FPV drones offer possibilities that fixed cameras or cable cams simply cannot match. They dynamically follow the athletes through corners and along straight sections, giving viewers a much better sense of speed.

Responsibility for these shots in bobsleigh, skeleton and luge lies with the Dutch team Dutch Drone Gods. They not only supply the pilots, but also the technology behind the drones used during competition. The resulting footage is clearly appreciated by viewers at home, as evidenced by reactions on X.

The person at @NBCOlympics who figured out how to effectively use drones and #FPVdrone pilots in the long-course events (like luge and freestyle skiing) deserves an Emmy. This drone hauling ass down the luge track behind the slider is f*cking awesome. @NBCOlympicTalk pic.twitter.com/8IKmfpWKaR

— bloojax (@bloojax) February 7, 2026

Custom-built FPV Broadcast Drone

For these Olympic Games, Dutch Drone Gods is using a self-developed FPV Broadcast Drone. It is a compact and lightweight platform designed specifically for live broadcasting. According to the team, the drone is small enough to safely fly close to the athletes, while the integrated broadcast technology meets the requirements of international television productions. The drone weighs just 243 grams and can reach speeds of up to 100 km/h. Maximum flight time is approximately five minutes.

The drone is equipped with a high-end COFDM transmission system that integrates directly with existing wireless broadcast infrastructure. This allows native HD HDR video to be transmitted, both progressive and interlaced, and enables the signal to be integrated into shading systems in the OB truck. For the complete RF chain, Dutch Drone Gods works together with broadcast service provider Broadcast Rental, which supports the technical team during live transmissions.

The FPV Broadcast Drone developed by Dutch Drone Gods.

From mountain bike to ice track

The origins of this FPV Broadcast Drone are not found in winter sports, but in mountain biking. Early versions were developed to follow MTB riders during UCI World Cup races. For Cortina ’26, the design was further refined, with adaptations required to operate reliably and stably above an icy track, in cold conditions and at very high speeds.

FPV pilot ShaggyFPV explains that other sports during the Winter Games are covered by different teams, using drones ranging from 2.5 to 7 inches. Almost all of these drones, however, use the same transmitter and camera technology. In total, around 25 FPV drones are active during the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games for live coverage.

The IOC also clearly views the use of FPV drones as more than a technical gimmick. Sports Director Pierre Ducrey describes it as the next step in the evolution of sports broadcasting. The combination of speed, proximity and smooth motion gives viewers a better understanding of what is actually happening on the track.

Safety through low weight

An important aspect of this development is safety. The FPV Broadcast Drone used weighs just 243 grams. This low weight significantly reduces the risks for athletes and people along the track. This is in stark contrast to earlier incidents, such as during a FIS World Cup slalom in Madonna di Campiglio in 2015, where a heavy camera drone crashed and narrowly missed skier Marcel Hirscher by just centimetres.

FPV drone flying as a top-level sport

It could be argued that creating these FPV drone shots is a top-level sport in itself. Pilots operate at the intersection of technology, precision and timing, while delivering live broadcasts under intense pressure. It is precisely this convergence of sport and technology that makes these Olympic Winter Games not only impressive from a sporting perspective, but also visually compelling.

In the words of ShaggyFPV on Instagram: “Twelve months of preparation and this is the result. Without a doubt the most difficult job I’ve ever done: flying in such a tight space, fifty times per session, consistently, with no room for error. And now two more weeks to go.”

More FPV drone footage

Below you can find additional FPV drone footage from the Winter Games, captured by other teams using different drones.

Wiebe de Jager

Wiebe de Jager is the founder of Dronewatch (available in Dutch and English). Wiebe is an experienced drone pilot (EASA Specific category certified) and has published a number of bestselling books about drone photography and cinematography.