Technology may have taken the timing devices to a completely different league, capable of breaking a second to 10,000 parts, but it will be up to the swimmers to stop the clock in time with a strong touch at the finish, with a load of 1.5 to 2.5 kg for the sensor to register.
Addressing a small group of journalists from around the world at the busy swimming pool here on Thursday,
Phelps's habit
Peter Huerzler, who has handled the time-keeping for Omega in 15 Olympics, said that even a star like Michael Phelps had the habit of turning quickly to look at the giant electronic clock, which possibly slowed his time fractionally.
“Phelps used to tell me that his coach said the same thing. But I was at the US trials this time, and Phelps took my name in the press conference after he beat (Ryan) Lochte by nine hundredths of a second,” recalled Huerzler.
He also pointed out the new foot-start at the starting blocks being used for the first time in London, after Beijing could not use it as most nations had said they did not get enough exposure with the system.
Better accuracy
The new system would be able to catch the false starts with better accuracy.
The starting blocks also have three lights to signal the first, second and third place finishers for the spectators present in the arena.
The television audience will have to depend on the results flashing on the screen.
It may not be required at the moment in swimming, but at the same time Omega has taken the Quantum timer ahead of the times — a lot more sleek, with a measuring capacity of 1/10,000th of a second.
Another expert at the pool, Pascal Rossier explained the technology that went into deciding the winner with tremendous accuracy and with the help of high speed cameras.
