Insight: Omega’s Partnership With The Tokyo Summer Olympic Games
Longstanding timing partner to the Olympics pays tribute to its own heritage with the Games, from 1932 onwards.
With the delayed 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo underway, we can finally address Omega’s part in this spectacle of sporting excellence. With its connection to the Olympics going back all the way to 1932, Omega has certainly experienced many unusual Games, including the 1936, 1972, 1980 and 1984 editions. Arguably, none have had so much drama prior to the Games even starting, a fact underscored by its 2020 Summer Olympics Game name.
Marking this historic Games, Omega has brought with it more than just watches, reflecting the depth of its efforts to officiate results in sports. There are hand-forged last lap bells and 21st century photofinish cameras, reminding the world that Omega has been at this game since way in the days when tracking results involved a chronograph and a keen eye. These days, we are able to add considerably more precision, right down to one millionth of a second, according to Omega.
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“The Olympic Games is about sports, and sports is about results. Without Omega, there are no results,” said President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach. “We have built a friendship with Omega and we are always excited about how Omega is driving timekeeping forward and adapting it to the new world we are living in. We have the same interests — to serve the athletes, to enrich their experience and enrich the experience of fans all over the world.”
“As the Official Timekeeper we’re always amazed at how the machines we work on generate such powerful human emotions,” added CEO of OMEGA Timing Alain Zobrist. There are of course a series of Tokyo 2020 editions, limited and otherwise, to explore. These include the Diver 300m Tokyo 2020, Aqua Terra 150m Tokyo 2020 Limited Edition, regular collection Aqua Terra 150m models for men and women, and a Planet Ocean 600m Tokyo 2020 Limited Edition.
As seen above, one of the first people to wear a new Omega Aqua Terra Tokyo 2020 Gold edition is none other than famed Olympian Michael Phelps. Phelps has been an Omega brand ambassador since 2004, and is best known for his exploits in the pool and his 28 Olympic Games medals. “If you’re an Olympian, or trying to become an Olympian, it’s a 24-hour, 7 day a week job. It’s non-stop. It’s around-the-clock,” said Phelps
