Can AI Predict Olympic Gold? Omega’s New Tech Aims to Map the Path to Victory

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From Stopwatches to Scan-o-Vision: The Evolution of Sports Timing and the Story Behind the Numbers

The roar of the crowd, the sweat on the athletes’ brows, the blur of speed: these are the hallmarks of a sporting event. But underneath the spectacle, a silent revolution has been taking place. Sports timing, the seemingly simple act of measuring performance, has gone through a dramatic evolution, fueled by technological innovation and a constant pursuit of precision and accuracy. And at the heart of this transformation stands Omega’s Swiss Timing, a company that has become synonymous with the pursuit of perfection in measuring the unmeasurable.

The Case of the Tied 100m Freestyle

It all began with stopwatches and human judgment. Just over 60 years ago, at the 1960 Rome Olympics, a controversy erupted over the 100-meter freestyle men’s race. Australian swimmer John Devitt and American Lance Larson both touched the wall simultaneously, their times recorded as 55.2 seconds.

"The way swimming was timed was by using three timers per lane, all with stopwatches, from which an average was taken. In the rare occurrence there was a tie, a head judge, in this case Hans Runströmer from Sweden, was on hand to adjudicate."

Despite Larson being demonstrably one-tenth of a second faster according to some timers, the head judge ultimately declared a tie, awarding the gold medal to Devitt. The uproar following this decision highlighted the inherent subjectivity and potential for error in human-operated timing systems.

A Revolution in Timekeeping: The Dawn of Technology

This controversy, along with the constant pursuit of greater accuracy, fueled the development of more precise and automated timing systems. Omega, a Swiss watchmaking company with a long history of precision, stepped up to the challenge. In 1968, they revolutionized swimming with the introduction of touch pads – electronic sensors installed at the ends of the lanes.

"It was this controversy that, by 1968, had led to Omega developing touch boards for the ends of swimming lanes so the athletes could stop timing themselves, removing any risk of human error."

The touch pads automatically stopped the timer when an athlete touched the wall, eliminating the possibility of human error and subjective interpretations that could potentially mar the spirit of fair play.

Beyond the Start and Finish: The Rise of Swiss Timing

The rise of technology, however, did not stop at simple start and finish timing. Omega’s Swiss Timing, established in 1932, became a global leader in sports timing and data analysis, pushing the boundaries of what was possible.

"Despite the Omega logo being on every timing device at every Olympics since 1932 (except for when Seiko got a look in in 1964 and 1992), what Swiss Timing does is much more than just start and finish times. “We tell the story of the race, not just the result,” Zobrist says."

From the iconic photo finish technology that brought clarity to close calls, to the advancement of electronic starting pistols, Swiss Timing continuously pushed the boundaries of precision, ensuring the highest level of accuracy and fairness in sporting events.

A New Era of Storytelling: Data-Driven Insights and Enhanced Performance

Today, the role of sports timing has transcended mere measurement. It has evolved into a powerful tool for storytelling, data analysis, and performance enhancement. Through the implementation of sophisticated sensors and advanced algorithms, Swiss Timing is able to unveil a deeper understanding of individual performances and the nuances of athletic skill.

"“2018 was pivotal for us,” says Zobrist. “That was when we started to introduce motion sensors on athletes’ clothing, which allowed us to understand the full performance—what happens between start and finish.”"

By tracking biometric data, such as heart rate, acceleration, and distance, Swiss Timing is providing valuable insights into athlete performance, aiding in training strategies and injury prevention. This data is harnessed to analyze not just the official results, but also the intricate details of a race, the subtle movements and strategies that separate the champions from the rest.

Scan-o-Vision: The Future of Sports Timing

A testament to this evolution is the Scan-o-Vision, a high-speed camera system developed by Swiss Timing. This revolutionary technology captures an astounding 40,000 digital images per second, providing unprecedented detail and clarity for judges to make accurate decisions during close finishes.

"Now Omega’s new Scan-o-Vision can capture up to 40,000 digital images per second, allowing judges to make a call in minutes."

By eliminating the need for film development and processing, Scan-o-Vision has significantly reduced the time required to analyze photo finishes, ensuring that the results are announced promptly and with the utmost precision.

Equal Opportunity: The Pursuit of Fairness

In the pursuit of fair play, Swiss Timing has also addressed the subtle biases that can occur in staggered-lane races.

"How, for example, in 2024, the electronic starting pistol is now connected to a speaker behind each athlete because, in staggered-lane races such as the 400 meter, those athletes in the furthest lane previously heard the starting gun a fraction later than those closest to the gun, giving them a disadvantage."

By synchronizing the starting pistol sound with a speaker positioned behind each athlete, Swiss Timing has ensured that all athletes experience a simultaneous start, regardless of their lane position, creating a truly level playing field.

The Legacy of Precision: Shaping the Future of Sports

From the humble stopwatch to the sophisticated data-driven systems of today, Omega’s Swiss Timing has played a vital role in shaping the landscape of sports. By relentlessly pursuing precision and accuracy, Swiss Timing has not only revolutionized the way we measure athletic performance but also enhanced the fairness and integrity of sporting events.

The legacy of Swiss Timing extends beyond mere timing. It is a testament to the relentless pursuit of perfection, a commitment to accuracy that underpins the spirit of sportsmanship and fair play. As technology continues to advance, Swiss Timing is poised to play an even more pivotal role in shaping the future of sports, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and ensuring that the stories of the games are told with the utmost precision and clarity.

Article Reference

Sarah Mitchell
Sarah Mitchell
Sarah Mitchell is a versatile journalist with expertise in various fields including science, business, design, and politics. Her comprehensive approach and ability to connect diverse topics make her articles insightful and thought-provoking.