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OMEGA at the World Aquatics Championships - Fukuoka 2023
| 2023-07-19 |     |
This July, the very best aquatics athletes gather in Fukuoka, Japan, for the twentieth edition of the World Aquatics Championships. Taking place from the 14th to the 30th of July, the event gives competitors a chance to achieve victory in the water and cement their names in sporting history. OMEGA has proudly served as the Official Timekeeper of World Aquatics events since 1973, when the federation’s first ever World Aquatics Championships took place. This follows the Swiss brand’s long history of sports timekeeping, most notably at the Olympic Games, at which OMEGA has served as Official Timekeeper on 30 occasions since 1932.
Essential Technology
As well as timing every second of action, OMEGA’s role in aquatic sports has included the development of the most vital timekeeping technologies. Evolved over time, these innovative pieces of equipment ensure that no result is ever left in doubt, and that even the closest finishes can be accurately recorded. This year in Fukuoka, OMEGA technology will be used across all the various sports, which include swimming, diving, water polo, open water swimming, and artistic swimming.
Quantum Timer
Mechanical stopwatches are a thing of the past. Today, OMEGA counts the seconds on its quartz-driven Quantum Timer, with an enhanced resolution of one millionth of a second.
Swimming Touchpads
Since 1967, touchpads have proven to be the most precise way to measure time in swimming. As soon as an athlete hits the touchpad at the end of a race (exerting a pressure between 1.5 and 2.5 kg), their time is automatically stopped, and a precise finish time is given.
Swimming Light Show
Mounted on the starting blocks, the Swimming Light Show lets athletes and spectators know the results of a race – with a single dot indi- cating first place, two dots showing who came second, and three dots of light con- firming the third place finisher.
Starting blocks
Each starting block has false start detection systems and acoustic start devices to ensure each competitor hears the start signal at the exact same moment. The OMEGA backstroke ledge also improves the push and trajectory for backstroke swimmers, by enabling the com- petitor to take a higher position in respect to the water level at the start phase. The height of the backstroke ledge can be adjusted to several different positions so that each competitor can select their preferred angle.
On-Screen Graphics
OMEGA’s on-screen graphics improve the experience for those watching on television. These graphics identify all the swimmers by name, lane and nationality before each race. As soon as the race has ended, lanes are highlighted to reveal the names and rankings of the swimmers. Also popular is the virtual record line, which electronically superimposes a red line across the pool. This red line represents the world record pace for each discipline. If the lead swimmer finishes ahead of the “virtual record line”, a new record has been set.
High-Speed Cameras
Judges can consult OMEGA’s high-speed cameras if any disputes arise. The technology was famously put to the test at the Olympic Games Beijing 2008, when the electronic timing sys- tem determined that Michael Phelps had beaten Milorad Cavic by a hundredth of a second – the smallest possible margin in swimming.
Lap Counters
Lap counters measure the remaining laps in the longer 800 and 1500 metres races. Placed one per lane at the bottom of the pool, the swimmer is given a clear count of laps to go, each time they reach the turning end. These highly visible digital screens allow the swimmers to concentrate on their technique, pace and position in the race, while still being aware of how many laps they have left to swim.
Open Water Intermediate points
In Open Water events, two buoys are placed at selected points around the course. Each buoy contains an antenna which can pick up signals from special transponders that each swimmer wears on their wrists. These transponders are also giving the Stroke Rate of the swimmer. As the swimmers pass the buoys, their intermediate times will be sent back to the timekeepers who will display the times on the scoreboards.
Water Polo Shot Clock
The transparent shot clocks in water polo help everyone to keep track of the sport’s most vital seconds. They also present chang- ing colours, with a transition from red to green to indicate stop or play.
Swim Tracker Systems
As part of OMEGA’s comprehensive timekeeping services, athletes in swimming now have their complete performances measured by image-tracking cameras placed around the pool. This incredible computer vision technology enables OMEGA to show live information such as: - live positions (not just at every turn) - live speed - acceleration - deceleration - distances between swimmers - number of strokes. Now you can watch the fast-paced 200m freestyle – and know the live positions of everyone in the water. You can watch the 100m butterfly – and compare the number of strokes between each swimmer. All the data captured by OMEGA is perfect for understanding exactly how each race was won or lost. It’s ideal for analysis and gives spectators a much greater insight into the sports they’re watching.