When the Paralympic Games begins on August 28th, OMEGA will once again perform its critical role as Official Timekeeper. The occasion will bring an expected 4,400 athletes together to compete in 22 sports – all contested in front of an expected 3.4 million spectators.
More than just a sporting event – the Paralympic Games shine a light on sport and disability, while inspiring individuals, bringing about social change, and promoting inclusive opportunities for people with disabilities.
OMEGA has been committed to this special event since Albertville 1992 – the very first time the brand timed the Paralympic Games. This unique partnership with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is a natural continuation and evolution of OMEGA’s leading position in sports timekeeping. The brand has been the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games since 1932, and has also become a trusted global partner in sports including athletics, swimming, sailing, golf, and bobsleigh.
There will be 549 individual events to measure at Paris 2024. Each one with its own specific requirements and category challenges. However, OMEGA arrives with decades of experience and innovation – providing unquestionable results at the moments that matter.
It’s time to let the dreams begin.
Timekeeping Technology at the Paralympic Games
With so many diverse sports and athletic categories at the Paralympic Games, it may be surprising to know that OMEGA will employ the exact same timekeeping technology that it uses at the Olympic Games. Iconic equipment such as the photofinish camera, the swimming touchpads, and the Quantum Timer will all enable the brand to achieve its reliable standards of sporting precision and excellence.
Of course, some unique technological additions are also sometimes required for certain Paralympic Games events.
The Electronic Starting Pistol
An equal start is vital in sports – both at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. But the problem with traditional pistols is that athletes in the furthest lanes hear the shot a fraction later than the closest lanes. Today, OMEGA’s electronic pistol is connected to speakers positioned behind each racer. When the trigger is pressed, a light flash is emitted, a start pulse is given to the timing device – and most importantly – a sound is played behind each athlete, giving them all an equal start.
Photocell Technology
Instead of the traditional ribbon on the finish lines of races, photocell technology emits beams of light. As soon as the winning athlete crosses those beams, their winning time is instantly recorded. Also used at the Olympic Games, OMEGA recalibrates the system for the Paralympic Games, adding a fifth beam, to detect the unique body patterns of athletes during wheelchair events.
Quantum Timer
The modern version of a stopwatch. OMEGA’s Quantum Timer has an enhanced resolution of one millionth of a second. Driven by a micro crystal component imbedded in the timer, the resolution is 100 times greater than previous devices and, with a maximum variation of only one second out of every ten million seconds, it is five times more accurate.
Touchpads
At the end of a swimming race, the famous touchpads positioned at both ends of the pool allow swimmers to “stop the clock” by exerting a pressure of between 1.5 and 2.5 kg (3.3 and 5.5 pounds). It’s the most precise way to measure time in this challenging sport and OMEGA was responsible for first introducing the technology at the Olympic Games in 1968.
Our Para Athletes
Wheelchair Fencing – Beatrice Vio
At the age of five, Bebe began practising standing fencing and, after a forced stop due to meningitis, she resumed fencing in the wheelchair version in 2010.
Events to Watch: Foil B (individual and team)
Previous Paralympic Games:
Rio 2016: G / B
Tokyo 2020: G / S
World Championships Medals:
Eger 2015: G / B
Rome 2017: G / G
Cheongju 2019: G / B
Terni 2023: G / S
Para Triathlon – Alexis Hanquinquant
Before becoming a Para Triathlete, Alexis was an avid basketball player, and a full contact boxer who competed at a high level, becoming French champion in 2010.
Events to Watch: Men’s PTS4
Previous Paralympic Games:
Tokyo 2020: G
World Championships Medals:
Rotterdam 2017: G
Gold Coast 2018: G
Lausanne 2019: G
Abu Dhabi 2021: G
Abu Dhabi 2022: G
Pontevedra 2023: G
Para Multi Sport – Oksana Masters
Having appeared at every edition of the Paralympic Games since London 2012, Oksana has won 17 medals across both Summer and Winter editions.
Events to Watch: Para Cycling
Previous Paralympic Games:
London 2012: B
Sochi 2014: S B
Pyeongchang 2018: G / G / S / S / B
Tokyo 2020: G / G
Beijing 2022: G / G / G / S / S / S / S
Road World Championships:
Glasgow 2023: G
Para Athletics – Marcel Hug
Nicknamed “The Silver Bullet”, Marcel Hug is a six-time Paralympic Games champion and multiple World Record holder in wheelchair racing. He competes across multiple disciplines.
Events to Watch: T54 – 800m, 1500m, 5000m and Marathon
Current World Records:
T54 800m (1:27.26) Set in 2023
T53/54 1,500m (2:43.37) Set in 2023
T53/54 5,000m (9:13.81) Set in 2024
T53/54 10,000 (19:45.05) Set in 2017
T53/54 Marathon (1:17:47) Set in 2021
Previous Paralympic Games:
Athens 2004: B / B
London 2012: S / S
Rio 2016: G / G / S / S
Tokyo 2020: G / G / G / G
World Championships:
Assen 2006: G / S / S / S
Christchurch 2011: G / S / S / S / S
Lyon 2013: G / G / G / G / G / S
Doha 2015: S / B
London 2017: G / G / G
Paris 2023: G / G / G
An Eye on the Future
Milano Cortina 2026, Los Angeles 2028, Brisbane 2032
Following Paris, we have a number of exciting and historic editions of the Paralympic Games to look forward to. This includes the next winter edition, which will take place in Milano Cortina 2026, where OMEGA will once again be positioned in the role of Official Timekeeper. 79 events will likely be contested in 6 sports, marking the third time that the Paralympic Games has come to Italy.
Then, in 2028, it will be on to Los Angeles, where OMEGA’s Olympic Games timekeeping journey first began in 1932. This will be a meaningful and emotional return for the brand, with some very different equipment to that original year. Paraclimbing will be added to the sporting schedule for the first time, while iconic venues will include Long Beach Waterfront and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Also on the horizon is Brisbane 2032, which will mark exactly 100 years of OMEGA timekeeping.
Plenty to look forward to. All in good time.
Further Information
Contact OMEGA International Press Office
Rue Jakob-Stämpfli 96
2502 Bienne
Switzerland
Tel. +41 32 343 9211
press@omega.ch
https://press.omegawatches.com
OMEGA is a company of the Swatch Group, the largest manufacturer and distributor of watches and jewellery in the world.
