Press

23 April 2008

FINA approves new OMEGA start blocks for official swimming competitions

OMEGA’s improved start blocks for swimming have been sanctioned by FINA in Manchester for use in official competitions and will be débuted at the World Championships in Rome in 2009.

The start blocks currently in use were also designed by OMEGA but the company developed a way to make them even better: a patented, adjustable slanted footrest allows swimmers to use a crouch start with the rear-positioned leg at a 90° angle at the knee, generating an optimal starting profile – the power input a swimmer generates against the block from the starting signal to the time he/she leaves the block.

Swimmers involved in the testing of the new blocks have been enthusiastic about them – measurably faster times have been recorded – and OMEGA’s developers look forward to seeing competitors achieve new personal bests and challenging existing records.


OMEGA’s association with competitive swimming dates back to 1932 when the brand was first entrusted with the official timekeeping for all disciplines at the Olympic Games including swimming.

OMEGA’s unparalleled involvement in the swimming world has led to a long list of innovations in the field of timekeeping technology, including the world’s first semi-automatic swimming timer, the Swim Eight-O-Matic Timer and the famous “touch pads” placed at each end of the pool for timekeeping at swimming events.

OMEGA has also been responsible for the start blocks used in swimming competitions. Like those developed for track events, they have false start detection systems and acoustic start devices which assure that each competitor hears the start signal at the exact same moment.

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