When the Paralympic Games kick off on August 28, 2024, OMEGA will once again take its place as the Official Timekeeper. This year’s event will bring together around 4,400 athletes competing in 22 sports, with an anticipated 3.4 million spectators witnessing the action.
OMEGA’s involvement in the Paralympic Games is deeply rooted, starting with their first role as Official Timekeeper at the Albertville 1992 Games. This partnership with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) highlights OMEGA’s longstanding commitment to precision and excellence in sports timekeeping. The brand, which has been the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games since 1932, extends its expertise to other sports, including athletics, swimming, sailing, golf, and bobsleigh.
At the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, OMEGA will measure 549 individual events, each with its unique challenges. Drawing from decades of experience, OMEGA will deliver precise timing using state-of-the-art technology.
Timekeeping Technology at the Paralympic Games
OMEGA will utilize the same advanced timekeeping technology it employs for the Olympic Games. Key equipment includes:
Photofinish Cameras: Capturing the exact moment athletes cross the finish line.
Swimming Touchpads: Installed at both ends of the pool, these allow swimmers to “stop the clock” by applying a specific pressure, ensuring accurate race results.
Quantum Timer: With a resolution of one millionth of a second, the Quantum Timer offers unprecedented accuracy.
Innovative Solutions for Paralympic Events
OMEGA also introduces specialized technology for the Paralympic Games:
Electronic Starting Pistol: This device ensures an equal start for all athletes. It uses a sound system and a light flash to provide a synchronized start, addressing the challenge of different start times due to lane positions.
Photocell Technology: Instead of traditional finish line ribbons, photocell beams record times. This technology is adapted for wheelchair events by adding a fifth beam to account for athletes’ unique body patterns.
OMEGA’s Para Athletes
OMEGA supports several prominent Paralympic athletes, including:
Beatrice Vio (Wheelchair Fencing): A champion fencer who returned to the sport in a wheelchair after a bout with meningitis.
Alexis Hanquinquant (Para Triathlon): Formerly a high-level basketball player and boxer, now excelling in triathlon.
Oksana Masters (Para Multi-Sport): A multi-medal winner across both Summer and Winter Paralympics since London 2012.
Marcel Hug (Para Athletics): Known as “The Silver Bullet,” Hug is a six-time Paralympic champion and a record holder in wheelchair racing.
Looking Ahead
Post-Paris, OMEGA will continue its role as Official Timekeeper at future Paralympic Games. Highlights include:
Milano Cortina 2026: The Winter Games will return to Italy, featuring 79 events across six sports.
Los Angeles 2028: Marking a historic return to the city where OMEGA’s Olympic journey began in 1932, with new events like Paraclimbing.
Brisbane 2032: Celebrating 100 years of OMEGA timekeeping, this event will showcase the brand’s ongoing commitment to precision and excellence.
OMEGA’s dedication to the Paralympic Games underscores its role in celebrating athletic achievement and advancing sports technology. As the Games unfold, OMEGA’s precision will continue to play a crucial role in highlighting the remarkable feats of athletes worldwide.
