Tag: Timekeeping

Keeping Time at the Olympic Games

While many of us no doubt look to kill some time during the day, at the Olympic Games keeping time is crucial. And with the London 2012 Games the official Olympic timekeepers Omega will be unveiling the latest technology to track the various competitions.

It can reportedly monitor athletes’ performance to the nearest one thousandth of a second. But this is more than just a stopwatch. This year’s games will see 450 professional timekeepers, supported by about 800 trained volunteers, working 420 tons of equipment that includes 390 scoreboards, 180 kilometers of cables and armed with the latest time keeping devices. His is a long way from the single timekeeper using 27 stop watches in the Berlin Games in 1936!

Omega Olympic Timekeeping History
BBC History of Olympic timings

Omega Keeps Olympic Time

Omega has kept track of time for the Olympic Games since 1932.

Omega has had its hand in the Olympic Games since 1932. At that time Omega supplied 30 stopwatches to track all 14 sports events. Over the years Omega developed timing technology such as the photo finish, which captured images of athletes as they crossed the finish line. This helped determine who had the lead when all the competitors finished in a group.

The drive to advance its accuracy and reliability in timing for the Olympics means Omega does much more than supply 30 stopwatches to the games. In Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games Omega deployed 220 timekeeping professionals and engineers supported by 290 local volunteers. The watch manufacturer brings roughly 250 tons of equipment for timekeeping, on-venue results, and TV services. The equipment and support from timekeeping professionals tracks athletes to the split second, and often means the athletes wear sensors so they are accurately tracked during competition.

Omega Watches

Via: CNET