Omega, the Official Timekeeper of the London 2012 Olympic Games, celebrated the beginning of its Games-related activities with a press conference at the brand's boutique at the Westfield Stratford Mall adjacent to Olympic Park.
The press meet began as Omega's “Start Me Up” commercial played on two large TV screens and the speakers entered to the soundtrack provided by the Rolling Stones.
International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge, Swatch Group CEO Nick Hayek, Omega President Stephen Urquhart and OMEGA Timing Board member Peter Hurzeler addressed members of the international media and expressed their enthusiasm about the games that will begin on Friday with a lavish opening ceremony.
Rogge praised the creativity and preparation of the London Organizing Committee and said that he was looking forward to an outstanding edition in 2012. He said that the world was being exposed to the British way of constructing sport and that the country's unparalleled history of sporting competition. Asked about preparations for the games, he said it was a question that could only be comprehensively answered when the games are over.
Hayek said that Omega's long history of Olympic Games timekeeping was a source of pride and said that any company would envy the brand's opportunity to work with the IOC and local organizations. He said: “It's a long tradition that has touched billions of people all over the world. For eighty years, it's been part of our legacy. It really is a relationship of trust and long-term commitment.”
Urquhart reminded the guests that when OMEGA first served as Official Timekeeper, all of the events at the Los Angeles 1932 Olympic Games were timed by thirty chronograph stopwatches, comparing it with some 400 tons of equipment used today by the company's 450 timekeepers.
The London 2012 Olympic Games are the 25th at which Omega has served as Official Timekeeper since 1932.
Omega launches London 2012 Olympic Games activities
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