Omega's Cutting-Edge Timekeeping Innovations at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics
Omega has been the official timekeeper of the Olympics since 1932, continuously improving timekeeping technology to ensure accurate and fair scoring. The upcoming 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics will showcase Omega's most advanced innovations yet, including new high-speed cameras for the photo finish. These cameras can capture up to 40,000 pictures per second, allowing judges to analyze the final milliseconds of a race with precision, especially crucial for close finishes.
For the first time in bobsled, a virtual photo finish will be introduced, enabling viewers to see a virtually created image displaying the time and location differences of sleds in one picture. This feature will enhance the comparison of times and execution in bobsled races, where teams compete one at a time. Additionally, Omega's new technology will elevate snowboarding and freestyle skiing big air competitions by incorporating computer vision motion sensors to track various performance aspects from start to finish.
In figure skating, Omega will debut a system that analyzes athletes' skeletal movements throughout their routines. This technology will measure jump height, speed, rotation counts, and generate heat maps illustrating movement patterns on the ice. By providing a clearer comparison of execution and difficulty across performances, viewers will gain a better understanding of each athlete's performance and scoring. Omega's continuous innovation in timekeeping technology ensures a more engaging and insightful viewing experience for spectators at the 2026 Winter Olympics.