Omega introduces new timing equipment for ice hockey at Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games

Friday, 21 February 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Together with the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), OMEGA has developed the IH Whistle Detection system, an innovative new technology which makes its debut at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic ice hockey games.

Sochi 2014 marks the 26th time that OMEGA has been appointed as the Olympic Games Official Timekeeper. The tradition speaks to the cutting edge developments behind the brand’s exceptional timepieces that are available in Sri Lanka at Chatham Luxury. During a game of ice hockey, every on-ice official is equipped with a wireless microphone in order to speak to the scorekeeper on the timing bench. The automatic whistle detection system monitors the audio signal throughout the game and will stop the clock as soon as it detects the sound of a referee’s whistle. The sound of the whistle is detected and the time is stopped within 1/10th of a second – at least half a second faster than a timekeeper who stops the time manually. This system ensures the accuracy of the stopped time and results in additional playing time. The IH Whistle Detection works on a principle similar to that of voice recognition. This equipment knows the sound signature of three different

whistles approved by the IIHF for the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. In addition to providing the most cutting edge timing equipment for the Winter Olympics, OMEGA’s presence extends to the OMEGA Pavilion within the Olympic Park. The two-storey building will serve as the brand’s pop-up home for the duration of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Spectators, athletes and guests can visit the OMEGA Pavilion and experience the interactive bobsleigh simulator, explore the art of mechanical watchmaking, browse OMEGA’s timepiece collections in the boutique and learn more about the Winter Olympic disciplines in a comfortable, branded environment.