With more than 240 timekeepers and specialists on site, OMEGA has served as the Official Timekeeper at the Paralympic Games for many years. OMEGA has been devoted to the event since serving for the first time as a timekeeper during the Paralympic Games in Albertville, in 1992. Since 1992, the brand has served as the Official Timekeeper for the Paralympic Games and has been a trusted global partner in sports including golf, bobsleighing, sailing, athletics and swimming. This showcases how OMEGA’s decades of invention and experience have delivered unquestionable results.

The relationship between the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and OMEGA is a unique partnership that produces a natural continuation and evolution of OMEGA’s leading position in sports timekeeping. Utilizing top-of-the-line technological tools like Quantum Timers, Swimming Touchpads and Photofinish Cameras, the brand consistently achieves high standards of sporting precision and excellence.

Here are some of OMEGA’s Timekeeping Technology that are used throughout the Paralympic Games:

The Electric Starting Pistol

Unlike traditional starting pistols, OMEGA’s Electronic Starting Pistols are connected to speakers that are positioned behind each racer. Shots fired from the traditional pistol are least likely to be heard by the athletes in the further lanes compared to the ones in the closest lanes. To ensure that every athlete has an equal start, the Electric Starting Pistol plays a sound behind each racer. Apart from the sound, the Electronic Pistol flashes a light while the timing device receives a pulse when the trigger is pulled.

Photocell Technology

At the finish lines, this timekeeping device replaces the traditional ribbon. As soon as the Photocell Technology captures the athlete’s winning time. This particular technology is also applied during the Olympic Games; however, the system is recalibrated by adding a fifth beam to detect the unique body patterns of athletes during wheelchair events.

Quantum Timer

The modern version of the stopwatch makes its way to the Paralympic Games. The Quantum Timer has a resolution 100 times higher than earlier models, with an improved one-millionth of a second. The timer is driven by micro-crystal components which are embedded in the timer. With a maximum variation of only one second out of every ten million seconds, the Quantum Timer is five times more accurate. 

Touchpads

Used at the end of swimming races, Touchpads are placed at opposite ends of the pool to allow swimmers to “stop the clock” by applying pressure ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 kg. The use of Touchpads is the more accurate way to measure time and was introduced by OMEGA at the Olympic Games in 1968.

Find out more on OMEGA’s legacy at the Paralympic Games here.