OMEGA’s Countdown Clock Tells The Story Of Nanjing 2014

2013-08-16-07:11NYOG Official Website

Thousands of Nanjing citizens cheered as the impressive OMEGA Countdown Clock in Xinjiekou Square was unveiled today marking exactly one year to go until the Opening Ceremony of the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games.

photos provided: IOC/Yang Xi

The special countdown event, which was organised by the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (NYOCOG) in collaboration with Omega, began at 7.30pmon August 15 when master of ceremonies introduced OMEGA President Stephen Urquhart, Gerhard Heiberg from the International Olympic Committee and the City of Nanjing’s mayors, Ji Jianye who is also the Vice President of NYOGOC.

NANJINGLELE, the official mascot of the Youth Olympic Games, took to the stage and received a warm welcome from the spectators.

The spectators were also treated to a dazzling, choreographed performance featuring local youth using brightly-coloured illuminated umbrellas and accompanied by Chinese drummers. Their appearance was followed by a film made up of historic Olympic footage and scenery from Nanjing along with images highlighting OMEGA’s long-standing timekeeping role.

photos provided: IOC/Yang Xi

The main attraction featured a breathtaking routine executed by silk aerialists and water silk dancers. They concluded their show by dramatically unveiling the Countdown Clock to tumultuous applause and cheers.

Just before 8pm, enthusiastic spectators started counting down the final ten seconds to the one year milestone. They reached “zero” exactly as the number of days remaining changed from 366 to 365.

OMEGA president Stephen Urquhart said that his brand is looking forward to its timekeeping role in Nanjing. “All of us were so impressed by the talent on display in Singapore at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games,” he said. “The fact that some of the athletes there have already gone on to win Olympic medals speaks volumes about their ability. In Nanjing, the spectators will have the chance to see that the future of international sport is very promising indeed.”

In addition to the six-metre high Countdown Clock in Xinjiekou Square, OMEGA has installed a four-metre version at the entrance to the NYOGOC office.

OMEGA first served as Official Olympic Timekeeper at the Los Angeles 1932 Olympic Games and has also provided its timekeeping and data handling services to the Youth Olympic Games since their inception in Singapore in 2010.

Posted by Thom Erik Syrdahl

Source:  http://www.nanjing2014.org/a/20130816/002291.htm