In competitive swimming, the right timing is everything. As athletes slice through the water with the deftness of an arrow, the thinnest fraction of a second can make all the difference between victory and defeat. No one understands this dynamic better than OMEGA, the horological legend and trusted custodian of time. Adding to its illustrious sports ensemble, the Swiss watchmaker recently welcomed two swimming champions, Léon Marchand and David Popovici, as its brand ambassadors on the eve of the World Swimming Championships held in Fukuoka, Japan.
OMEGA’s CEO, Raynald Aeschlimann, warmly expresses his anticipation, “Léon and David are the embodiments of precision and excellence in their respective lanes of swimming. As they ascend towards swimming superstardom, we are thrilled to be part of their journey, offering our steadfast support every step of the way.“
The twenty-three-year-old French prodigy, Léon Marchand, has been making ripples in the world of swimming with his extraordinary performance at the 2022 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. His gold medal victories in the 200m and 400m individual medley events, coupled with a silver medal in the 200m butterfly, secured him a place in the swimming hall of fame. Marchand’s connection with OMEGA is rooted in the brand’s enduring legacy, as he shares, “OMEGA’s deep-seated history in swimming and its commitment to precision and reliability resonates with every athlete. It’s a privilege to be associated with this iconic brand.“
Similarly, the swimming world has its eyes on the Romanian wunderkind, David Popovici. Defending his world champion title and holding the world record in the 100m freestyle, Popovici not only solidified his swimming prowess but also earned the title of Male Swimmer of the Year. On his association with OMEGA, Popovici commends, “OMEGA’s unwavering commitment to swimming, which spans nearly a century, and their attention to every detail is remarkable. To join this brand, which is home to many legendary swimmers, is truly an honor for me.”
OMEGA’s intertwined history with swimming harkens back to 1932, when it was first entrusted with the responsibility of Official Timekeeper at the Olympic Games. The brand has since pioneered breakthroughs in timing technology, the most notable being the touch pads installed at the pool’s end. As the Official Timekeeper of the World Swimming Championships since 1973, OMEGA has been the quiet yet crucial presence in every championship, counting time for legendary athletes like Michael Phelps, Caeleb Dressel, Kaylee McKeown, and others.
With the addition of Léon Marchand and David Popovici to its esteemed ambassadors’ list, OMEGA continues its deep-dive into the realm of aquatic sports, charting the ebbs and flows of history one tick at a time.
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