As the curtain falls on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, OMEGA, the event’s Official Timekeeper, reflects on a year marked by groundbreaking performances and record-breaking feats.
For the 31st time since 1932, OMEGA has played a pivotal role in tracking every moment of the Games, overseeing 329 events spanning 32 sports. Drawing on 92 years of expertise and the latest advancements in sports timekeeping technology, the Swiss watchmaker was equipped to handle the monumental task.
OMEGA’s commitment to accuracy was evident through the deployment of 550 timekeepers, 350 tonnes of equipment, and 900 trained volunteers, all ensuring the smooth operation of the timekeeping process.
Over two intense weeks, the timekeeping team captured every result within the iconic Parisian venues, including the Eiffel Tower Stadium, the Grand Palais, and the Château de Versailles. Their precision was critical, as demonstrated by the 132 Olympic Records and 38 World Records set during the Games.
A standout moment for OMEGA occurred during the Men’s 100m final, where Noah Lyles of the USA claimed victory by the narrowest of margins. With both Lyles and the silver medalist recording identical times of 9.79 seconds, OMEGA’s photofinish camera was instrumental in determining the winner. The camera’s image confirmed Lyles’s slight edge for the gold medal.
Other significant highlights included:
- Léon Marchand of France securing four swimming gold medals, setting four new Olympic Records, and earning an additional team bronze.
- Australian swimmer Kaylee McKeown winning double gold in the Women’s 100m and 200m backstroke events, both marked by new Olympic Records.
- Mondo Duplantis of Sweden setting a new World Record in the Men’s Pole Vault with a height of 6.25m.
OMEGA’s technological prowess was on full display with its array of advanced equipment, including the renowned swimming touchpads, electronic starting pistol, and athletics starting blocks. The new Scan’O’Vision ULTIMATE photofinish camera also captured 40,000 images per second, ensuring the highest accuracy in race finishes.
As OMEGA approaches its centennial as the Official Timekeeper for the Olympic Games in 2032, it looks forward to upcoming events in Milano-Cortina 2026, Los Angeles 2028, and the French Alps 2030.
