1968 Summer Games: Mexico City

Timekeeping became exclusively electronic for the 1968 Summer Games. There were still timekeepers with stopwatches, but the Olympic Committee trusted OMEGA’s electronic keeping enough to only use stopwatches as a backup. The Photosprint technology, also developed by OMEGA, made it easier to transition to electronic as well.

The OMEGA Photosprint filmed all runners as they crossed the finish line. The camera could produce developed pictures of the finish in 30 seconds, bridging the gap between time and photography; thus giving birth to modern sports timekeeping.

Swimmers took timing into their own hands for these games with the introduction of the swimming pads. Because all timing was electronic, a swimmer’s time stopped with their hand pressed the electronic pad on the wall at the end of their race. This helped eliminate human error immensely in the sport and is still used today.

Fun Fact: Mexican hurdler Enriqueta Basilio became the first woman to light the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony. -olympic.org